The Morrill Acts and Education

The University of Tennessee

The First Morrill Act of 1862 provided federal funds from the sale of public land to establish an endowment fund for land-grant colleges of agriculture and mechanical arts. It established at least one college in every state “accessible to all, but especially to the sons of toil.”

1866: Education [Statute]
Separate schools required for white and black children
1869: Barred school segregation [Statute]
While no citizen of Tennessee could be excluded from attending the University of Tennessee on account of his race or color, "the accommodation and instruction of persons of color shall be separate from those for white persons."
- See more at: http://www.blackpast.org/primary/jim-crow-laws-tennessee-1866-1955#sthash.6fuBUkZ8.dpuf

1866: Education [Statute]
Separate schools required for white and black children
1869: Barred school segregation [Statute]
While no citizen of Tennessee could be excluded from attending the University of Tennessee on account of his race or color, "the accommodation and instruction of persons of color shall be separate from those for white persons."
- See more at: http://www.blackpast.org/primary/jim-crow-laws-tennessee-1866-1955#sthash.6fuBUkZ8.dpuf

1866: Education [Statute]
Separate schools required for white and black children
1869: Barred school segregation [Statute]
While no citizen of Tennessee could be excluded from attending the University of Tennessee on account of his race or color, "the accommodation and instruction of persons of color shall be separate from those for white persons."
- See more at: http://www.blackpast.org/primary/jim-crow-laws-tennessee-1866-1955#sthash.6fuBUkZ8.dpu

The Second Morrill Act  was signed on August 30, 1890, and included the stipulation that African Americans were to be included in the United States Land-Grant University Higher Education System without discrimination. It further made provision that required states with separate colleges for Black and White citizens, to designate or establish a college to train Black students in agriculture, mechanical arts, and architecture as well

To comply with the 1890 Morrill act, the University of Tennessee established an Industrial Department at Knoxville College.

Clearly, the schools were separate, but they were not equal.

Knoxville College

1866: Education [Statute]
Separate schools required for white and black children
1869: Barred school segregation [Statute]
While no citizen of Tennessee could be excluded from attending the University of Tennessee on account of his race or color, "the accommodation and instruction of persons of color shall be separate from those for white persons."
1870: Education [Statute]
Schools for white and colored children to be kept separate.

1873: Education [Statute]
"White and colored persons shall not be taught in the same school, but in separate schools under the same general regulations as to management, usefulness and efficiency."

1901: Education [Statute] Unlawful for any school or college to permit white and colored persons to attend the same school. Penalty: $50 fine, or imprisonment from 30 days to six months, or both.

1925: Education [Statute]
Separate elementary and high schools to be maintained for white and Negro children.
1932: Race classification [State Code]
Classified "Negro" as any person with any Negro blood.
1932: Miscegenation [State Code]
Miscegenation declared a felony.
1932: Education [State Code]
Required racially segregated high schools.
(Source: Jim Crow Laws in Tennessee  Link)