OUR STORY: HISTORY OF THE FOUNDATION

 HISTORY OF THE BANNEKER DOUGLASS MUSEUM FOUNDATION
On March 8th 1976, Thomas R. Dawson, Carroll Greene, Jr., and Yevola S. Peters signed the Articles of Incorporation establishing the Banneker-Douglass Museum Foundation, Inc. Its purpose was to provide support to the Maryland Commission of Afro-American History and Culture in establishing and maintaining the Banneker-Douglass Museum as the State of Maryland's repository of African-American History and Culture. 

The creation of the Foundation was the idea of Carroll Greene, Jr., staff of the Commission, following his successful mobilization of the community to save from demolition the building that has once housed the Mt. Moriah A.M.E. Church.  The Foundation provided private sector support demonstrating a public-private partnership in support of the development and maintenance of the state owned Museum. The Labrot trust of St. Anne Episcopal Church donated $500 to assist in establishing the Banneker-Douglass Museum Foundation, Inc. 

The Foundation received its 501(c) (3) determination letter in November 1977, which recognized the organization as tax-exempt beginning the date of its incorporation.

On January 10, 1978, the Friends of Banneker-Douglass Museum was established as an affiliate of the Banneker- Douglass Museum Foundation, Inc. Ms. Lulu Hardesty serves its first Chairperson. Article II of the Friends original by-laws stated: The purpose of Friends of Banneker-Douglass Museum Foundation she be the same as that of the parent body.