Winnsboro in Fairfield County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fairfield Institute
⎯⎯⎯
Kelly Miller
(1863 - 1939()
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, December 15, 2008
1. Fairfield Institute / Kelly Miller Marker
Fairfield Institute. This grade school and normal institute for blacks was founded in 1869 during Reconstruction by the Northern Presbyterian Church. The Reverend Willard Richardson was principal. In 1880, one-hundred of its students were studying to be teachers and twenty others to enter the ministry. The school closed in 1888 to merge with Brainerd Institute in Chester. The site is located one block west.
Kelly Miller. (1863-1939). Born in Fairfield County, this renowned black educator attended Fairfield Institute, 1878-1880, and won a scholarship to Howard University, from which he graduated in 1886. After graduate work at Johns Hopkins, Miller received his A.M. and L.L.D. degrees (1901 and 1903) and was for many years professor and dean at Howard. His writings on race problems were widely read and used in major universities.
Erected 1985 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History, sponsored by Fairfield County Historical Society. (Marker Number 20-16.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the South Carolina Historical Markers series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.
Location. 34° 22.52′ N, 81° 5.092′ W. Marker is in Winnsboro, South Carolina, in Fairfield County. It is on Congress Street 0.1 miles north of Palmer Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winnsboro SC 29180, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands and in the Olde English District. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cathcart-Ketchin House / Catharine Ladd (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint John's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fairfield County / Winnsboro (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fairfield County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Town Clock (approx. 0.4 miles away); James Henry Carlisle (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bethel Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); William Porcher Dubose (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winnsboro.
Also see . . . Kelly Miller. (Submitted on December 15, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina.)
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, December 15, 2008
2. Fairfield Institute / Kelly Miller Marker
3. Kelly Miller
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 3, 2023
4. Replaced marker (Fairfield Institute side)
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 3, 2023
5. Replaced marker (Kelly Miller side)
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 3, 2023
6. Fairfield County Museum plaque above South Carolina historic places medallion
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,578 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 15, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 27, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.
