MARY ALICE NUTTER, FOUNDER
May 24, 1945 – June 8, 2024

Ms. Mary Alice Nutter, Gettysburg Black History Museum, Inc. Founding Mother was born and raised in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. Her family lived in Gettysburg since the mid-1800s with a long history of educators and social justice advocates. Ms. Nutter grew up in and was an active member of St. Paul AME, Zion church; where she was a member of the choir, Sunday School Teacher, and supported and encouraged at an early age, by church members to engage and lead to affect social justice in Gettysburg. Her faith is an integral part of her character.

She was the first recognized Black teacher in the integrated Gettysburg Area school system in the late 1960s. She was the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. She was the first in many things in her life. Ms. Nutter worked many years in the Gettysburg community and on local, state, and national levels to support positive change. She is a graduate of the Gettysburg Area schools and went on to earn her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. Her work experience includes teaching, being one of the first staff members as a social worker for the newly formed Adams County Office for Aging, training, organizational development, school administration, college administration, and many supervisory positions. Ms. Nutter is a lifelong, passionate advocate for youth, access to education, those who feel voiceless, and the underserved folks in our world. Although very unassuming, she has received local, state & national recognition for her fearless championing for many. Ms. Nutter has never been fearful to “Show Up & Stand.”  She has the unique ability to meet folks where they are and go from there.

It is no wonder that she took up the charge given to her by her mother’s kitchen table. Gettysburg has important Black History to share, but it never was words. Gettysburg Black History and American History Now find a way to share this History in our words.” After retiring from Carroll county school System, Ms. Nutter began the journey of developing a Gettysburg Black History Museum, with the dedicated support of the local Black community as well as the community at large.

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It is with great sadness that we share the news that Mary Alice Nutter, lovingly known by family and close friends, as Audie, 79, of Gettysburg, PA died Saturday June 8 peacefully in her home. The Board of Directors of Gettysburg Black History Museum are profoundly blessed to have worked with Mary Alice for so many years. She was dedicated to the preservation of Gettysburg’s Black History. We hope to continue her legacy in her memory. Her full obituary can be read here. 

A letter from the Gettysburg Black History Museum, Inc. Board of Directors

November 2024 – Gettysburg Black History Museum shifts to legacy partnership with Adams County Historical Society. With the death of Gettysburg Black History Museum (GBHM, Inc.) Founder, Mary Alice Nutter, the Board of Directors decided to shift how the Gettysburg Black History would remain and be shared, ensuring the Legacy of the museum’s vision and mission. The GBHM Board felt this would best be accomplished through a Legacy Partnership between Gettysburg Black History Museum, Inc. and Adams County Historical Society by gifting the museum the contents.

In keeping with this shift, we are ensuring that Gettysburg’s Black history become a forever part of the narrative of the history of both Adams County and the Borough of Gettysburg. The Gettysburg Black History Museum has been a multi-faceted and long-term project since the idea of its establishment was originally conceived over 20 years ago. The idea of a museum honoring the contributions of Gettysburg’s Black residents was the brainchild of the mother (Margaret Thomas-Nutter) of the current Gettysburg Black History Museum Board President, Jane Nutter and sister, past Board member and Founder, Mary Alice Nutter. As children she was told at the kitchen table ‘Look here, you all. You need to do something about the Black History in this Gettysburg area.” Mary Alice would take these words to heart and embark on a decades long effort to create the museum. Along the way, she has been aided by many community members, several who currently serve alongside her on the board. The endeavor would become the love child of sisters Jean Watts Jones Odom and Elizabeth Anne Jones Lipscomb, who spoke passionately about the strong need for this museum to become a reality. Both women understood that the mission must always be to tell the story of Gettysburg’s Black residents, in their own words. These stories would serve to preserve, educate, and inspire current and future generations.
Members of the GBHM Board along with members of the community will transition to the Gettysburg Black History Committee of the Adams County Historical Society. The Committee will continue the work of the Museum Board to preserve Gettysburg’s Black History.

May “our” stories continue to be told in “our” voice as the founder of GBHM Mary Alice Nutter so passionately promoted regarding the importance of the American Black History here in Gettysburg. Our road to share “our “ History has not been an easy one. However, with the support of many and a dedicated Board we made Black History Museum happen! The GBHM Board of Directors would like to thank those of you who stood by us and supported us over the years. We look forward to a future of continued efforts sharing Gettysburg Black History.

Gettysburg Black History Museum, Inc. Board of Directors:

Mary Alice Nutter, Founding Mother (deceased)
Jane Nutter, President
Rogers Smith, Vice President
Jennie Knox, Secretary / Treasurer
Elmer Shelton, Recording Secretary
Mildred Johnson, Member
Marie Williams, Member