By: Mahelate Solomon
The University of Maryland’s campus is rich in history — both the good and the bad. The African American History Landmarks Walking Tour is dedicated to telling the whole story, according to tour developer Kim Nickerson.
Nickerson, who serves as the assistant dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, created the tour in 2018 as a means of exploring the complexities of the campus’ relationship with local African American residents.
“Students of color often feel isolated and alone,” shared Nickerson, “and I want it to say something that would be uplifting and that would give them a sense of that, ‘No, I do belong here’ and ‘I should do well here.’”
The newest version of the tour is aimed at highlighting Black history on the university’s campus. The tour gives its participants an opportunity to travel throughout the heart of UMD’s campus, making stops at historic landmarks, such as the Rossborough Inn, and exploring new additions such as the renovated Frederick Douglass Square.
The history of the tour began almost eight years ago, when in 2015, Nickerson was asked by a group of students to deliver a keynote address for a Black History Month program.
“What can I say for students that would be interesting to them and motivating and uplifting for them?” Nickerson wondered aloud in a November 2022 interview with Stories Beneath the Shell reporter Isabella Carerro-Baptista.
Nickerson compiled a slideshow filled with academic and historical details regarding the history of Black students at the university as well as the truth behind the plantation that once stood on the school grounds.
Due to the immense popularity of the address, Nickerson then developed a multimedia tour with both in-person and online instruction that could take participants through the school’s history.
Diana Heath, a staff member in the psychology department, encouraged more members of the UMD community to check out the tour.
“I think it’s an important thing to understand the history behind how the university got here,” shared Heath. “I think it’s important for people to understand that for the community, to come and support the history and the people here to create a more inclusive environment.”
Nickerson said he hopes to expand the tour to include more destinations dedicated to UMD’s African American history. These sites include the new Johnson-Whittle residence hall on North Campus, the Jones-Hill House, dedicated to Billy Jones and Darryl Hill – the first Black men to integrate the school’s basketball and football teams respectively – and the Lt. Richard Collins III memorial.
“There is a lot of rich history when it comes to impacts made in the classroom,” says senior Matthew Walsh.
Walsh attended the tour in order to increase his knowledge about the campus as a Maryland Images tour guide and a member of the Student Alumni Leadership Council.
“[Nickerson] is very passionate about and intelligent about the topic, and has a lot of rich history to share,” says Walsh. Nickerson aims to expand a possible program that can hold these tours more often and for a larger audience and even be integrated into the school’s regular campus tours for incoming or prospective students.