Midway in Liberty County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Civil Liberties at Dorchester Cooperative Center 1940 - present

Dorchester Academy

— Museum Of African American History —

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2008

1. Dorchester Academy Marker

Inscription.

Civil Liberties at Dorchester Cooperative Center 1940 - present. Dorchester Academy. In an effort to involve Liberty County African Americans in politics, the Dorchester Cooperative Center (DCC) began to help organize African American Voters. The DCC taught local African Americans the United States and Georgia constitutions, followed the activities of state and national representatives, charted how legislators voted on issues, interviewed candidates for office, and discussed issues and community goals. They also instructed citizens on how to mark ballots and general behavior at the polls. In 1953, the DCC formed a branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In 1961, they gained national attention when the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), in cooperation with the American Missionary Association (AMA), established " Leadership Training Programs and Citizenship Schools" at Dorchester Academy to train grass roots leaders from throughout the South. These leaders would go back to their communities to organize and train others. Some of the influential SCLC leaders who frequented the DCC were SCLC Educational Director Dorothy Cotton, supervisor of teacher training Septima Clark, and Citizenship Program Administrator Andrew Young. Notable civil rights leaders who attended DCC programs included Ralph Abernathy, Wyatt Walker, and Dr.Kartin Luther King Jr. King's biographer David L. Lewis contends that King planned his 1963 Birmingham campaign while staying at Dorchester Academy in Elizabeth B. Moore Hall. Although DCC membership has steadily declined, the organization now known as the Dorchester Improvement Association (DIA), still exists and continues to educate and support African Americans in Liberty County., The Power of Cooperation , The people of the Dorchester Cooperative Center understood that in order to make even the smallest difference everyone had to do their part. When the Farmers Co-op at the Center wanted to buy a tractor, twenty families pooled their resources and purchased their own cooperatively owned tractor. The debt on the tractor was completely repaid within the next three years., Picture caption reads: , "Dorchester Co-op farmer with new tractor" . This historical marker was erected by City of Flemington. It is in Midway in Liberty County Georgia

In an effort to involve Liberty County African Americans in politics, the Dorchester Cooperative Center (DCC) began to help organize African American Voters. The DCC taught local African Americans the United States and Georgia constitutions, followed the activities of state and national representatives, charted how legislators voted on issues, interviewed candidates for office, and discussed issues and community goals. They also instructed citizens on how to mark ballots and general behavior at the polls. In 1953, the DCC formed a branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In 1961, they gained national attention when the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), in cooperation with the American Missionary Association (AMA), established " Leadership Training Programs and Citizenship Schools" at Dorchester Academy to train grass roots leaders from throughout the South. These leaders would go back to their communities to organize and train others. Some of the influential SCLC leaders who frequented the DCC were SCLC Educational Director Dorothy Cotton, supervisor of teacher training Septima Clark,

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and Citizenship Program Administrator Andrew Young. Notable civil rights leaders who attended DCC programs included Ralph Abernathy, Wyatt Walker, and Dr.Kartin Luther King Jr. King's biographer David L. Lewis contends that King planned his 1963 Birmingham campaign while staying at Dorchester Academy in Elizabeth B. Moore Hall. Although DCC membership has steadily declined, the organization now known as the Dorchester Improvement Association (DIA), still exists and continues to educate and support African Americans in Liberty County.

The Power of Cooperation
The people of the Dorchester Cooperative Center understood that in order to make even the smallest difference everyone had to do their part. When the Farmers Co-op at the Center wanted to buy a tractor, twenty families pooled their resources and purchased their own cooperatively owned tractor. The debt on the tractor was completely repaid within the next three years.

Picture caption reads:
"Dorchester Co-op farmer with new tractor"

Erected by City of Flemington.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 31° 48.06′ N, 81° 27.936′ W. Marker is in Midway, Georgia, in Liberty County. Marker

Dorchester Academy's Elizabeth B. Moore Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 6, 2008

2. Dorchester Academy's Elizabeth B. Moore Hall

is on Lewis Frasier Road near East Oglethorpe Highway (U.S. 84), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8787 East Oglethorpe Highway, Midway GA 31320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. S.C.L.C. and the Voter Education Program 1962-1970 (within shouting distance of this marker); Working Together at the Dorchester Cooperative Center 1930s-1940s (within shouting distance of this marker); Elizabeth Moore at Dorchester Academy 1925-1932 (within shouting distance of this marker); Athletic Programs at Dorchester Academy 1926-1940 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Growth Of Dorchester Academy 1874 - 1930s (within shouting distance of this marker); Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory (within shouting distance of this marker); Dorchester Academy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); New Life For Dorchester Academy 1932-1940 (about 300 feet away); Liberty County Citizen's Council 1946 - 1953 (about 300 feet away); We want a school, we need a Teacher 1870-1872 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Midway.

Civil Liberties at Dorchester Cooperative Center 1940 - present Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 18, 2011

3. Civil Liberties at Dorchester Cooperative Center 1940 - present Marker

Located at the southeast corner of the small building connected to Moore Hall.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 18, 2011

4. Civil Liberties at Dorchester Cooperative Center 1940 - present Marker

Seen at the far left of the building.

Dorchester Academy Men's Dorm door image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008

5. Dorchester Academy Men's Dorm door

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,300 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on April 15, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 5. submitted on July 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.