The History of Maryland University

The University of Maryland was founded in 1856 as the Maryland Agricultural College. Constructed on 420 acres of Charles Benedict Calvert's Riverdale Plantation, the college began with an enrollment of 34 students.

In 1862 President Lincoln signed into law the Morrill Land Grant Act, which offered federal support to colleges teaching agriculture, engineering, or military professions. The Maryland legislature accepted the grant in 1864.

On November 29, 1912, the University was gutted by a fire which destroyed all but one campus building. This building, Morrill Hall, still stands today. The fire, which occurred during a Thanksgiving dance, was thought to signal the end of the University, but shortly after the students returned, and the campus was slowly rebuilt.

In 1916 the State of Maryland took control of the University and renamed it the Maryland State College. The year marked the admittance of the first women to the University, and under the leadership of Alfred F. Woods the University created its first individual academic schools and deanships. In 1920 the University was consolidated with the university in Baltimore to create the University of Maryland.

In 1998, the five University of Maryland campuses were combined with six other state institutions to form the University of Maryland System; the original campus at College Park is named the system's flagship campus.