Maryland women, mostly former secessionist sympathizers, play the leadership role in this enterprise. The Female House of Refuge opens The German Ladies Relief Association, to provide assistance to German immigrants, is formed. Peabody Institute Library opens. 1867 Discussion of giving by John W. Garrett, George Peabody, and Johns Hopkins leads to Hopkins naming two interlocking boards of trustees, which in turn secure legislative acts incorporating the Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Johns Hopkins University. The Shelter of Orphans of Colored Soldiers and Friendless Colored Children is founded.
Operational funding comes largely from the African-American community.
The Sharp Street, Orchard Street, and Bethel Methodist Episcopal churches donate Sunday offerings and hold fund-raising fairs. Maryland School for the Deaf and Dumb founded. 1869 George Peabody dies in London. His funeral train in America is the longest in history to date. Enoch Pratt helps to fund the Working Man's Institute and Library in the Canton area of Baltimore.