Union School (Natchez, Mississippi)

Union School
Location
corner of North Union and Monroe Streets,
Natchez, Mississippi, U.S.

31°33′27″N 91°23′33″W / 31.557633°N 91.392517°W / 31.557633; -91.392517
Information
Other namesNatchez Union School,
Natchez Union High School
School typePublic, segregated
Opened1871
Closedcirca 1925

The Union School was the first public, co-educational school for African American students in Natchez, Mississippi, United States. Formed in 1871 and closed in 1925, it was located at the southeast corner of North Union and Monroe Streets.

History

The Union School was established in 1871 as a brick building with 13 rooms, capable of accommodating up to 948 children. The school opened in the fall of 1871, led by Theodore H. Greene and employed 9 black teachers, with the enrollment of 406 students. In 1887, the school was led by principal John S. Meekins, with enrollment of 267 students. By 1909, the school had enrollment of 1,175 students. In 1924, the lower grade levels had as many as 120 students in a single classroom, which prompted the school board to plead with the mayor to make changes.

In 1925, the Brumfield High School, another African American public school in Natchez, was built to alleviate the overcrowding. The school's namesake was George Washington Brumfield (1866–1927), who had taught classes at the Union School and served as a principal after he arrived in Natchez in the 1890s. Brumfield also served as the Sunday school teacher at Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (Zion Chapel AME Church).

The Union School operated during a period of racial segregation in Mississippi. The Natchez Institute was the first public school established by the city for white-only students, established in 1845. By 1950s, the Union School building was demolished. The school is included in the "African American Public Education, Natchez Trails" historical marker at its former site.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Relating to Colored People". Vicksburg Evening Post. May 22, 1915. p. 8. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  2. ↑ Biennial report of the state superintendent of public education to the legislature of Mississippi for the years 1888 and 1889. Jackson, Mississippi: R. H. Henry. 1890. pp. 330–334.
  3. ↑ "Natchez Union School, Session of 1881 and 1882". Natchez Democrat. June 11, 1882. p. 2. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Union School Will Close Thursday". Natchez Democrat. May 17, 1922. p. 3. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 "Abandoned High School in Mississippi". Historic Structures. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  6. ↑ "At Natchez, Miss". The Times-Picayune. June 23, 1881. p. 4. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  7. ↑ "The Natchez Union School Opening". The Weekly Democrat. October 12, 1887. p. 5. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Board of Aldermen". Natchez Democrat. July 10, 1909. p. 2. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Brumfield High School". National Park Service. October 21, 1993. Retrieved January 10, 2023. With accompanying pictures
  10. ↑ "Board of Aldermen". Natchez Democrat. June 7, 1902. p. 6. Retrieved January 11, 2023. G. W. Brumfield, principal
  11. ↑ James, D. Clayton (1993). Antebellum Natchez. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press. pp. 80, 99.