Maxine Gross

Maxine and Delphine Gross in the intersection of 54th Avenue and Pierce Avenue in the background is the family home. The Turner home on 54th Avenue is seen as well.

Wilmer Gross with daughters, Delphine and Maxine in front of family home in Lakeland.

Christmas Morning at Gross home on Pierce Avenue

1991-1993 term Mayor Owens and Council

Second in a series of two images showing team for Lakeland: African Americans in College Park book project. Standing are Christine Gray Matthews, Diane Weems Ligon, James Edwards, III seated are Delphine Gross, Avis Matthews and Violetta Sharps Jones

A fourth-generation Lakelander and former Lakeland Civic Association president, Maxine Gross was elected to the College Park City Council in 1989 and served until 1997. Gross graduated from the University of Maryland. Her graduation meant a great deal to her family, as family members for three generations had worked for the university but had been barred from attending because of segregation.

At home of George Henry and Agnes Gross on Cloud Avenue seen is the rear of Rev. Robert Baddy, also at the table left to right are Mrs. Randall Gray, daughter in law Wilmer, granddaughter's Delphine and Maxine, Mrs. Randall Gray, Shirley Randall Anderson, Dessie Thomas, Mrs. Gross's sister Sarah,

The community of Lakeland and its members want to preserve its history by and through LHP. The project members plan to display artifacts from collections every year and preserve the past.

Back row Margaret Gross Gray, George Gray, Wilmer Gross, Agnes Harrison Gross front row Charles Smith, David Gray, Delphine Gross, Maxine Gross on Christmas at the home of George Henry and Agnes Gross on Cloud Avenue

Christmas Morning at Gross home on Pierce Avenue

top left Christmas Dinner at Cloud Avenue top right Christmas at Cloud Avenue. Center George Henry and Agnes Gross Christmas morning at son's home on Pierce Avenue. Right Maxine Gross at home on Pierce Avenue. Bottom newspaper clipping on summer program at Lakeland school with UM students

On the patio of their home with classmates in attendence is the birhtday party hosted for the daughters of the Gross family

Christmas Morning at Gross home on Pierce Avenue

One of two photos showing the groups of people who produced the book, Lakeland: African Americans in College Park standing are left to right Jean Gray Matthews, Diane Weems Ligon, Maxine Gross and James Edwards Seated are left to right Delphine Gross, Avis Matthews and Violetta Sharps Jones

Interview transcript Delphine Gross with her grandmother, Agnes Gross for a class in the 1980s Agnes Gross' house was on the land of the College Park Community Center, but was taken bc of eminent domain. They then relocated to a property in on 54th Ave. Agnes Gross is the youngest of 14 siblings. The interview is marked up with notes from the teacher. The first page is the interviewer asking Mrs. Gross about her family, her hometown, and when she was born, more about her background in Murkirk - her schooling, the church she attended, etc. Asking about a nearby school, Mrs. Gross's father's land, and Mrs. Gross's work history. Going into detail about Mrs. Gross's family, what she stored during WWII, and her siblings., More about Mrs. Gross's siblings - then more of her work history. When doing domestic work, she was paid as little as a quarter an hour. Mrs. Gross raised her baby-sitting rate to a flat five dollars, which was somewhat expensive at the time. For context, she also says that you could get the best pork chops for fifty cents. She also speaks on how some things, mainly convenience, are better now than they were when she was younger, and how some things are worse (such as crime). Speaking of how times have changed, such as the segregation in public spaces she faced when she was younger. Also speaking about life during the Depression - you would help anybody who came to your door., Working conditions - people, especially black people, were paid very low wages. Often they'd work until they physically couldn't anymore - she speaks of old women who would "pull themselves up on the streetcar" because they needed the money from working.

The Diamondback publishes a piece on urban renewal in the city of Lakeland. It highlight's the commitment of Lakeland residents to preserving the neighborhood.

At the time of these progress reports Lakeland ES was segregated. Located on 54th and Lakeland, right across the railroad tracks. The principal at this time was Edgar Smith. Smith was principal from about 1928 when school opened to about 1968. Smith not native of Lakeland. Kindergarten progress report for Maxine Gross from Lakeland Elementary - her grades were very good this year. There are various comments - all to the effect that Maxine is making great progress in school. Brief overview of the subjects covered during the school year, as well as the days absent. Maxine only missed one day.

Cover proof for publication with Arcadia Press, 0229

On Pierce Avenue

Left to right Maxine Gross, Alvin Kushner

Contains: - The cover page contains various icons representative of Lakeland, such as the streetcar trolley sign and the railroad crossing; - The schedule for the weekend, detailing the events for the community party on Saturday and the religious service on Sunday; - An introductory piece, explaining the mission of the weekend and the Lakeland Community Heritage Project; - An overview of Lakeland history. Noted image of a house is the "Hicks house;" - Brief descriptions of Lakeland's churches and Lakeland's clubs.; - A description of the families of Lakeland and how they were forced out of their homes by Urban Renewal. Contains a description of the history and impact of Lake Artemesia; - More descripition of the erasure of a large part of the community, then recognition of how it's come back stronger than before; - A family tree template; - The order of service for the religious service on the Sunday., Empty space for notes and resources with which one could find their family history. On the right side, a map of eastern Lakeland; - The final page of the pamphlet, with thank-yous and acknowledgements.

At the time of these progress reports Lakeland ES was segregated. Located on 54th and Lakeland, right across the railroad tracks. The principal at this time was Edgar Smith. Smith was principal from about 1928 when school opened to about 1968. Smith not native of Lakeland.

Delpine and Maxine Gross ride pony during event at Embry AME Church In addition to good, home-cooked food and the opportunity to visit with friends and family members, on this day in 1963 there was the added attraction of pony rides. Here Delphine and Maxine Gross share a ride, Their father Elwood is barely seen here overseeing the operation along with Mildred Gray. The pony is lead by Lester Gray.

Incoming and Outgoing College Park City Council members

Maxine Gross First Grade Lakeland Elementary School

Left to right Maxine Gross, Joseph Page and Anna Owens

5th Grade Report card for Maxine Gross

Mayor Anna Owens with City Council Maxine Gross is in the first row second from left

Sunday School picnics were a summer highlight for Lakelanders. Everyone would pack a lunch and meet on the third Saturday in July at an amusement park or beach for a day of fun in the sun. The community’s two churches regularly came together for the outing. In 1962, the Embry A. M. E. Sunday School outing took place at Carr’s Beach in Annapolis, Maryland. From left to right are John Webster; Mary Weems Braxton; and Wilmer, Delphine, and Maxine Gross. (Courtesy of the Gross family.)

At home of Viola Gross on Navahoe Street. Left to right are David Gray, Kevin Smith, Delphine Gross and Maxine Gross

Delphine and Maxine Gross

Maxine Gross replaced Dervey Lomax as district representative on College Park City Council during this ceremony in 1989