Edward U. Taylor Elementary School

In 1952, amidst the harsh reality of segregation, the Edward U. Taylor Elementary School opened its doors. This school, right here, was a beacon of hope for the Black community in Boyds. Edward U. Taylor Elementary wasn’t just a building. It was a symbol of the community’s tireless fight for equal education. It was built to modern school design standards, a testament to the perseverance of those who demanded better for their children. The school’s namesake, Edward U. Taylor, was a champion of African American education. He served as the supervisor for Black education in Montgomery County from 1923 to 1951. Sadly, he passed away a year before the school bearing his name opened. The Edward U. Taylor Elementary School stood as a monument to his legacy. The year 1954 brought the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling. Segregation was deemed unconstitutional. Yet, the fight for integration at Edward U. Taylor Elementary School continued for seven more years. It finally desegregated in 1961, becoming one of the last schools in the county to do so. Remarkably, it was the only formerly segregated Black elementary school to remain open as an integrated school. The school saw expansions and renovations between 1954 and 1969. It eventually housed eight classrooms, a multi-purpose room, offices, a teacher’s lounge, a speech and language center, and a kitchen. Despite its significance, Edward U. Taylor Elementary School closed in 1979 due to low enrollment. Today, the building serves as the Taylor Science Center. It processes and stores science kits for Montgomery County Public Schools. The building stands as a reminder of a difficult chapter in American history. It echoes with the voices of the students who once walked its halls, the teachers who dedicated their lives to education, and the community that fought for equality.