“What if I told you this campus has risen from the ashes?” Here at Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, history and education intertwine. This location has a story that goes back further than you might think.
Montgomery College wasn’t always here. Before Montgomery College graced this ground, the Bliss Electrical School stood tall. Founded in 1893, Bliss claimed to be the oldest school teaching electricity in the world. Louis D Bliss started it in Washington D.C. with just $400. Can you believe it?
But tragedy struck in 1908. A fire engulfed the Bliss Electrical School. It forced almost 200 students to flee in the middle of the night. Luckily, everyone survived. The Takoma Park community stepped up. They offered homes and temporary classrooms.
Showing true resilience, Bliss rebuilt. A new building opened in 1909. It continued to educate students in the field of electricity. In 1917, the United States entered World War I. The Bliss Electrical School formed a searchlight company of engineers. They even went to Paris for instruction.
During World War II, the U.S. Navy selected Bliss as one of six engineering schools for electronics training. Talk about important work. The school trained over 3,000 students.
Then, in 1950, a new chapter began. Montgomery Junior College absorbed the Bliss Electrical School. Montgomery Junior College could finally hold daytime classes. It marked a new era for education in Takoma Park.
Fast forward to today, Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus thrives. It’s a hub for health sciences, visual and performing arts, and community arts. The campus expanded into Silver Spring. The Takoma Park campus became the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus in 2005.
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Arts Center opened in 2007. The Cultural Arts Center followed in 2009.
Montgomery College is dedicated to helping students. Tierney Acosta, a student saw that fellow students were facing food insecurity and she decided to take action. Acosta created the food forest. Students, staff, and neighbors can get fresh fruits and vegetables in the food forest.
The campus is also expanding its facilities. In 2024, the Catherine and Isiah Leggett Math and Science Building opened. Montgomery College changes lives one student at a time. It serves over 7,800 students from over 140 countries. This campus embodies resilience, community, and a commitment to education. It’s a place where the past informs the future.
So, as you explore Montgomery College, remember its rich history. From the ashes of the Bliss Electrical School to the vibrant campus you see today. Montgomery College continues to make its mark.