Joseph Christopher Parks

He made education possible for “colored” students in the segregated Charles County Schools.

Joseph Christopher (J.C.) Parks was born in Lexington, Ky. He studied education at the Hampton Institute, Penn State University, Morgan State College and Catholic University. His teaching career began as principal of the Centerville Colored Elementary School in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War I, Parks worked for 42 years as the Supervisor of Colored Schools for Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) from 1919 until his retirement in 1961.  Mr. Parks served under the following superintendents: F. B. Gwynn, T. C. Martin and C. Paul Barnhart.

During his early years as supervisor, he was engaged in any activities that were essential to the welfare of both teachers and pupils. He became the “Mr. Fix-It” when items needed to be repaired, or “realtor” in negotiations to purchase land for schools and the housing of teachers. During his career with CCPS, Parks was instrumental in drafting plans and securing funds for several elementary schools and the county’s first and second high schools – Pomonkey and Bel Alton.  He was also directly responsible for the construction of many schools in the county supported by the Rosenwald Fund from 1922 to 1930. In the late years of his supervisory position, Mr. Parks supervised the operations of thirty-five or more elementary schools and one high school all during the Jim Crow era and segregated schools.

Working with parents and friends, he purchased a bus sorely needed to transport colored students to Pomonkey High School, the only high school for colored students in the county.

Later with P.D. Brown, Parks established the first public library in the county. Parks became the executive secretary to the Maryland State Teachers Association. There he advocated for equal salaries for teachers statewide.

In 1963, he was appointed by Governor Millard Tawes as chairman of the newly established Commission on Human Relations for Charles County. Even after he retired

Joseph Christopher (J.C.) Parks was responsible for securing the funding needed to build J.C. Parks Elementary School which opened in 1967 and was named in his honor.

Additional Resources

Our Legacy: One and Two Room Schools of Charles County 2009, Charles County Retired School Personnel Association. paperback book.

History of Our School, Our School – J.C. Parks Elementary School (ccboe.com)

Speech given at Parks’ retirement ceremony at Pomonkey High School on July 30, 1961