Avery Normal Institute records

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.