William M. Brish papers
Collection
0148-MMC-NPBA
Dr. William M. Brish (1906-1999) served as the Superintendent of Schools for Washington County (Maryland) from 1947 to 1973. During his tenure, the Washington County closed-circuit television program was developed and instituted. Brish became known as an expert in using television for instructional purposes. As a result of the closed-circuit program, Washington County was selected by the U.S. government to partner with Nigeria's education system in developing instructional television. Brish also served as a consultant in educational television for All India Radio as a part of a Ford Foundation project (1950-1961) and several workshops at universities in the United States (1957-1960). After he retired from Washington County Schools, Brish worked as a cluster director and then consultant for the Appalachian satellite project from 1973 to 1987.
The collection documents the institution of closed-circuit television in the Washington County Schools, the Appalachian satellite project, and the Ford Foundation's India project. It also includes papers, speeches, and reports by Dr. Brish on the concepts behind instructional television use in the classroom.
The collection is open for research use.
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials page for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
6.75 Linear Feet
The William M. Brish papers cover the years 1942 to 1992, with the bulk of the collection ranging from 1958 to 1976. There is a sizeable amount of print publications including various reports, brochures and booklets relating to Washington County Schools, the Appalachian Educational Satellite Project (AESP) which later became the Appalachian Community Service Network (ACSN) and the Ford Foundation's India project. Also included are papers, speeches, and reports by Dr. Brish on the concepts behind the use of instructional television in the classroom including the roles of classroom and television teacher.
William M. Brish was born September 6, 1906 in Frederick, Maryland. He graduated from Frederick High School in 1924. He received an AB degree from Franklin and Marshall College in 1928, a master's degree for Teacher's College, Columbia University in 1932 and a doctor of Pedagogy degree from Franklin and Marshall in 1956. He did some additional graduate work at George Washington University.
Brish began his career as a history and science teacher at Thurmont and Frederick (MD) High Schools. He subsequently served as principal of Elm Street School in Frederick, Maryland. Prior to his time as superintendent in Washington County, he was the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Prince Georges County and then Superintendent of Schools in Kent County.
He served as the Superintendent of Schools for Washington County (MD) from 1947 to 1973. During his tenure, the Washington County closed-circuit television program was developed and instituted. Brish became known as an expert in using television for instructional purposes. As a result of the closed-circuit program, Washington County was selected by the U.S. government to partner with Nigeria's education system in developing instructional television. Brish was the home base coordinator for the U.S.A.I.D. Modern Aids to Education Project for Nigeria from 1963 to 1969. Dr. Brish also served as a consultant in educational television for All India Radio as a part of a Ford Foundation project (1950-1961) and for several workshops at universities in the United States (1957-1960). After his retirement from Washington County Schools, Brish was a cluster director (1973-1975) and then consultant for the Appalachian satellite project from 1976 to 1987 (AESP - Appalachian Educational Satellite Project, ACSN - Appalachian Community Service Network).
An active member in his community, he served on the boards of the Hagerstown Chamber of Commerce, Washington County Free Library, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Mason-Dixon Council, and Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Brish left a legacy in Washington County beyond his work as superintendent. As a result of his involvement in developing the Hagerstown Junior College which is now the Hagerstown Community College, the college library is named after him as well as the local planetarium.
William Brish died June 1, 1999.
Organized as four series:
The William M. Brish papers were donated to the National Public Broadcasting Archives, University of Maryland Libraries by Margaret Wagner in August of 1999.
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives