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Avery Normal Institute records

 Collection
Identifier: AMN 1012

Collection Overview

The Avery Normal Institute Papers, 1862-1954, 1978, and 1992 consist of photocopied materials regarding Avery Normal Institute generated by the American Missionary Association office and housed by the Amistad Research Center.

The materials are separated into seven series: Annual Reports, 1862-1945; Administrative Correspondence, 1931-1954; Financial Records, 1943-1946; Employee Files, 1926-1945; Writings and Publications, 1882-1952; Miscellaneous Files, 1878-1978; and collection additions, 1867-1992. 1.) Annual Reports consist of sections of AMA Annual Report publications highlighting Avery. 2.) Administrative Correspondence consists of miscellaneous correspondence exchanged between the AMA and Avery officials. 3.) Financial Records consist of reports regarding the financial status of the school compiled by Avery officials and submitted to the AMA. 4.) Employee Files consist of employment information on members of the Avery faculty. 5.) The Writings and Publications series contains issues of the school newspaper, the Avery Tiger; reports on Avery's history and other materials; and a master's thesis by Avery staff member Alphonso H. Hoursey on Avery graduates. 6.) Miscellaneous Files include various programs, flyers, and newspaper clippings. 7.) Collection Additions feature internal and external publications, AMA reports, photograph copies, and memorabilia from the school.

Throughout the collection, the following individuals are frequently mentioned: AMA officials Ruth Morton and Fred Brownlee and Avery principals Frank DeCosta, Samuel Washington, and John Potts.

Dates

  • Creation: 1862-1978

Creator

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Avery Research Center's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Avery Research Center claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Historical Note

The Avery Normal Institute was established by the American Missionary Association (AMA) in Charleston, South Carolina in 1865. The Institute originally served as a school for former slaves and free persons of color, providing normal (or, teacher) training to students pursuing careers in education. Avery's educational mission evolved as its all-black administrators, faculty, and students played pivotal roles in combating racism and Jim Crow laws in Charleston. The school eventually became known just as Avery Institute, operating as a high school, with financial support from the AMA until 1947, when it became part of Charleston's segregated public school system. The school closed in 1954.

Decades after the school ceased to exist, many of its alumni were instrumental in creating the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, which is housed in the historic Avery building at 125 Bull Street.

Extent

1.5 linear feet (4 archival boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Avery Normal Institute was established by the American Missionary Association (AMA) in Charleston, South Carolina in 1865. The Institute originally served as a school for former slaves and free persons of color, providing normal (or, teacher) training to students pursuing careers in education. The school eventually became known just as Avery Institute, operating as a high school with financial support from the AMA until 1947, when it became part of Charleston's segregated public school system. The school closed in 1954.

The Avery Normal Institute Papers, 1862-1954 and 1978, consist of photocopied materials regarding Avery Normal Institute generated by the American Missionary Association office and housed by the Amistad Research Center. The materials are separated into six small series: Annual Reports, 1862-1945; Administrative Correspondence, 1931-1954; Financial Records, 1943-1946; Employee Files, 1926-1945; Writings and Publications, 1882-1952; and Miscellaneous Files, 1878-1978. 1.) Annual Reports consist of sections of AMA Annual Report publications highlighting Avery. 2.) Administrative Correspondence consists of miscellaneous correspondence exchanged between the AMA and Avery officials. 3.) Financial Records consist of reports regarding the financial status of the school compiled by Avery officials and submitted to the AMA. 4.) Employee Files consist of employment information on members of the Avery faculty. 5.) The Writings and Publications series contains issues of the school newspaper,the Avery Tiger; reports on Avery's history and other materials; and a master's thesis by Avery staff member Alphonso H. Hoursey on Avery graduates. 6.) Miscellaneous Files include various programs, flyers, and newspaper clippings. Throughout the collection, the following individuals are frequently mentioned: AMA officials Ruth Morton and Fred Brownlee and Avery principals Frank DeCosta, Samuel Washington, and John Potts. 7.) Collection Additions include photograph copies of Avery students and faculty, student and employee enrollment, external reviews of the Avery Normal Institute, internal publications, and school memorabilia.

Collection Arrangement

Arranged in seven series:

  1. Annual Reports, 1862-1945
  2. Administrative Correspondence, 1931-1954
  3. Financial Records, 1942-1946
  4. Employee Files, 1926-1945
  5. Writings and Publications, 1882-1952
  6. Miscellaneous Files, 1878-1978
  7. Collection Additions, 1867-1992

Location of Originals

The originals of the majority of these materials are located in the American Missionary Association Records, which are housed at the Amistad Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Processing Information

Processed by Jessica Lancia, 2006

Encoded by Melissa Bronheim, July 2010

Edited by Melissa Bronheim, July 2010, and Amanda Ross, January 2011 Edited by Veer Mehta, September 2023

Funding from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation supported the processing of this collection.

Funding from the Council on Library and Information Resources supported the encoding of this finding aid.

Title
Inventory of the Avery Normal Institute Records, 1862 - 1978 AMN 1012
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Processed by: Jessica Lancia; machine-readable finding aid created by: Melissa Bronheim
Description rules
Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in English
Sponsor
Funding from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and the Council on Library and Information Resources supported the collection processing and encoding of this finding aid.

Repository Details

Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository

Contact:
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608