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SECOND ANNUAL JANE GATES DAY
On Wednesday morning, August 31, 2022 the Second Annual Jane Gates Day event was held at the Jane Gates Heritage House on Greene Street, Cumberland, Maryland. Numerous elected officials and community members attended the occasion which was overseen by Sukh Gates, President of the Jane Gates Heritage House, and John Gates, who serves as Vice-president.
Jane Gates (c1819-1888) was enslaved much of her life until 1864 when slavery was abolished in Maryland. The census of 1870 shows her as a nurse and laundress living in a house at 515 Greene Street. Jane Gates purchased the house and lot in 1871 for $1400.
During the event it was announced that the Jane Gates Endowed Scholarship had been established at Allegany College of Maryland (ACM), the purpose of which is to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in the Teacher Education Program. In this regard, Robert “Bob” Powell was recognized and presented a plaque by ACM. Powell was instrumental in establishing and endowing this endowed scholarship program. Powell, a native of Cumberland who now lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, graduated from Allegany High School in 1965. Also paid tribute was Sherry Frick, who is the Allegany County Master Gardener Coordinator. Sukh Gates spoke in great detail as to the great assistance Sherry gave in establishing the Jane Gates Heritage House Learning Gardens.