Lina Nissley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Howard Academy is a historic landmark in Monticello that holds significance as an important milestone in Jefferson County’s history.
Howard Academy was constructed in the 1930’s and opened its doors in 1936 as the first official high school for African-American students in the county. This first building is located on Chestnut Street. Prior to this building's construction, local African-American students gathered at a community church in order to receive education from adults.
Eventually, transportation to Howard Academy was also provided for the students, in order to ensure that all Howard Academy students had the resources and ability to attend school. Over time, the school continued to grow by adding a second school building, which was constructed in 1940. This second building was financed by the county, local parents and the Julius Rosenwald Fund. The fund was established by Sears President Julius Rosenwald to build many educational facilities throughout the Southern United States. After this second building was constructed, the first building became used as the elementary and junior high school while the second became the senior high school.
In 1957, another location was built on Second Street as an elementary and junior high school. This location was expanded in 1960 to include education for all 12 grades. The expansion of this location, combined with the integration of schools in the early 1970’s, led to the abandonment of the original Chestnut Street school locations. The school buildings on Chestnut Street were not used for several years, with the exception of its use as an elementary school during integration until the construction of the elementary school, and its use as a temporary elementary school after a section of the Jefferson High School was damaged in a fire.
As the years have gone by, the original Howard Academy building has fallen victim to time and is in danger of deteriorating. The Howard Academy Educational & Recreational Council, Inc. (HAERC) is a local non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration of the building. The organization works to slow deterioration of the building, protect it and raise funds for the benefit of the historic landmark.
The HAERC has organized several fundraising and honorary events in the past, such as the Howard Academy Field Day.
According to Gladys Roann-Watson, the goal of the HAERC is to restore the old Howard Academy as a place for students to gather and study, once it becomes possible to add necessities such as electricity and wifi. This newly restored gathering place would also serve as a place for former Howard Academy students to visit and enjoy reminiscing of their years spent receiving an education in this little, historically important schoolhouse.
To learn more about the HAERC, visit howardacademycouncil.org.
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