SALISBURY, Md. - A cultural center that has seen slavery, the civil war, the emancipation proclamation and has been standing almost 175 years, is open once again. The Charles H. Chipman Cultural Center in Salisbury is hoping to continue carrying out its purpose to be a beacon in the African-American community.
Charles Chipman, a former educator in Salisbury, purchased the building on Broad Street in 1968. The building was put up in 1837. It is said that Chipman had a vision. The Chipman Foundation, the group which currently owns the building, hopes to continue that vision.
Vance Elbert, president of the Chipman Foundation, said there is a lot of history in the building.
"If these walls could talk, they would tell the heritage in the African-American experience...Frederick Douglass came to Salisbury in 1882. He came to Salisbury to speak to raise funds to add this second floor."
The building has been closed more than two years. On Friday night a special ceremony was held in honor of it reopening. Maryland Sen. Richard Colburn made an appearance to award the Chipman Foundation in honor of the occasion.
Salisbury Mayor James Ireton, who was also in attendance, said, "An incredible man [Charles Chipman] gave incredible things to the community. What we've got to do now is walk out of here with this message and this mission just like Chipman's was, to really take our African-American history and make it a part of what we do here."
