McGraw Historical Society

The New York Central College

New York Central College McGrawville was an institution of higher learning founded by anti-slavery Baptists in 1849 in New York. The college was notable because it educated blacks as well as whites in the time of southern slavery and northern segregation, and educated women with men at a time when few institutions of higher learning were co-educational. In addition to the African-Americans in the student body, at least three of the school's faculty were black as well. Some of the school's funding came from New york State.   The school's curriculum included classical education as well as agricultural science. A scandal was caused when African American professor, William Grant Allen became engaged to a white student. To escape possible violent repercussions, Allen fled to New York City where he was joined by his fiancee. This event exacerbated already lingering social and political opposition to the school. Facing bankruptcy, the school was put into the hands of Gerrit Smith who had been a major financiall contributor.   A smallpox epidemic struck McGrawville in 1860. The effects of the outbreak coupled with the lingering social and political opposition, and financial difficulities caused the college to close the same year.