These four took hold of the work, but were met at the outset by two formidable difficulties. A site and buildings of its own were absolutely essential to the success of the undertaking. The Association at that time had no funds that it felt at liberty to invest in real estate for such an enterprise. More than that, the dominant element in the community was so entirely hostile to any effort to elevate the coloured people, that it was next to impossible to purchase land for such uses. But a favourable site was found and secured, without the purpose for which it was wanted being made known to the seller, by three of these friends of the work becoming individually responsible for the entire purchase-money of $16,000.
One of the chief advantages of the location was the fact that it was already occupied by a group of one-storey frame buildings, which had been erected and used for hospital barracks by the Union Army. It was known that these could be obtained from the Government, and be easily and cheaply adapted to the present necessities of the enterprise. And so, in January 1866, the new school was opened. The occasion was the most notable event of the sort in the history of the coloured people of Tennessee. Governor Brownlow made a short address, and other distinguished gentlemen in civil and military life were present. There was inspiration for the freed people in the very thought of thus founding a university for the emancipated slaves, who had all their life long been forbidden the slightest knowledge of letters.
