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

Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 4, 2009

1. Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory Marker

Inscription. This Georgian Revival building, built in 1934 to replace an earlier structure destroyed by fire, was once part of an extensive school campus begun in 1871 by the American Missionary Association. The school, founded to serve the educational needs of black children of Liberty County and coastal Georgia, closed in 1940 after public education became available to black children. In 1948 the American Missionary Association, with the assistance of the local community, expanded the dormitory into a community center, which by 1961 would become the focus for many Southern Christian Leadership Conference sponsored Citizen Education Workshops here (1962- 1964), training over 1,000 teachers and leaders, who in turn educated over 10,000 in the basics of voter registration and non-violent social change. Dr. M.L. King, Jr. held a planning retreat here in 1962 to prepare for the 1963 Birmingham Campaign, one of the first major victories of the Civil Rights Movement.

Erected 1990 by Georgia Historic Marker. (Marker Number 089-27.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 31° 48.09′

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N, 81° 27.901′ W. Marker is in Midway, Georgia, in Liberty County. Marker is on Oglethorpe Highway (U.S. 84) near Lewis Frasier Road, on the right when traveling east. 1.9 miles west of junction with US 17/Ga 25. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Midway GA 31320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dorchester Academy (here, next to this marker); We want a school, we need a Teacher 1870-1872 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Growth Of Dorchester Academy 1874 - 1930s (within shouting distance of this marker); Elizabeth Moore at Dorchester Academy 1925-1932 (within shouting distance of this marker); Midway Congregational Church 1872 - Present (within shouting distance of this marker); The Story of the "Bell" at Dorchester Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); Working Together at the Dorchester Cooperative Center 1930s-1940s (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil Liberties at Dorchester Cooperative Center 1940 - present (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Midway.

Regarding Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory. Entry on National Register of Historic Places:

The Dorchester Academy Boys' Dormitory on the site was built in 1935, was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1986, and was declared

Marker with Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2009

2. Marker with Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory in background

a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2006.

Dorchester Academy Boys' Dormitory (added 1986 - - #86001371)
8787 East Oglethorpe Highway (US 84) , Midway
♦ Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Awsumb,George
♦ Architectural Style: Other, Colonial Revival
♦ Area of Significance: Black, Education, Architecture
♦ Period of Significance: 1950-1974, 1925-1949
♦ Owner: Private
♦ Historic Function: Education

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory, west entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2008

3. Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory, west entrance

Later known as Elizabeth B. Moore Hall.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 18, 2011

4. Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory Marker

inside the hallway of the boy's dormitory/Moore Hall.

Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory, north entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2008

5. Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory, north entrance

Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory Marker shares location with Dorchester Institute Marker at left image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2009

6. Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory Marker shares location with Dorchester Institute Marker at left

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,091 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on October 22, 2015, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 21, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on April 15, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 5, 6. submitted on January 21, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.