The Ellicott City Colored School, a one-room schoolhouse building, was constructed in 1880 as the first public school for black children in Howard County.
In use as a school until the early 1950's, the building was repurchased by the county in 1995 and restored with the assistance of public and private funding.
The building, located at 8683 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, now houses a genealogical resource center and a museum chronicling the history of African Americans in Howard County.
Changing exhibits and seminars highlight the contributions by people of color to the history of the region.