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

New Life For Dorchester Academy 1932-1940

Dorchester Academy

— Museum Of African American History —

Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 2008

1. Dorchester Academy Marker

Upper right hand corner label reads : This sign was made possible through the financial support of the City of Flemington with great places to "stay" in Liberty County.

Inscription.

New Life For Dorchester Academy 1932-1940. Dorchester Academy. J. Roosevelt Jenkins, who was Dorchester Academy's assistant principal, science teacher and athletic director, replaced Elizabeth Moore as principal after her death in 1932. He continued to strengthen the school's curriculum and the thriving athletic programs. During his administration, Dorchester Academy was in its academic prime. In 1934 the entire graduating class was admitted to college. Jenkins made sure the school kept its Georgia accreditation. In doing so, Dorchester Academy earned the coveted "A rating" from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In 1934, the school was classified as a Group I Georgia accredited high school. This meant it was one of " the best schools in teaching staff, equipment or laboratory, library and buildings, and three fourths of the academic teachers holding degrees." The boys' dormitory, which burned down in 1932, was rebuilt and formally dedicated as the Elizabeth B. Moore Hall, During this time, public school opportunities were growing for African Americans in Liberty County. The Board of Education had, until then, neglected to adequately fund African American public education. With the creation and growth of the Liberty County Training (LCTS) in the 1930s, accredited, public, adequately funded, county administered African American high school education was now available. Because of this the American Missionary Association (AMA) closed Dorchester Academy in the spring of 1940 because they did not want to duplicate the work of the local public schools. All of the 1940 twelfth grade students voted to receive their diplomas from Dorchester Academy and the remaining students were distributed among the other African American public schools in the county. , (sidebar) , Boys' Dormitory , Elizabeth B. Moore Hall , photograph taken 2004 , Most of Dorchester Academy's old buildings were torn down by the AMA in 1945 because of their poor condition. They decided it would be cost effective to remodel the new brick boys dormitory. The AMA contributed $10 for every $1 raised in Liberty County, up to $20,000. Locals organized the Dorchester Cooperative Building Fund Drive and raised $2,000 to save Elizabeth Moore Hall.

J. Roosevelt Jenkins, who was Dorchester Academy's assistant principal, science teacher and athletic director, replaced Elizabeth Moore as principal after her death in 1932. He continued to strengthen the school's curriculum and the thriving athletic programs. During his administration, Dorchester Academy was in its academic prime. In 1934 the entire graduating class was admitted to college. Jenkins made sure the school kept its Georgia accreditation. In doing so, Dorchester Academy earned the coveted "A rating" from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In 1934, the school was classified as a Group I Georgia accredited high school. This meant it was one of " the best schools in teaching staff, equipment or laboratory, library and buildings, and three fourths of the academic teachers holding degrees." The boys' dormitory, which burned down in 1932, was rebuilt and formally dedicated as the Elizabeth B. Moore Hall

During this time, public school opportunities were growing for African Americans in Liberty County. The Board of Education had, until then, neglected to adequately fund African American public education. With the creation and growth of the Liberty County Training (LCTS) in the 1930s, accredited, public, adequately funded, county administered African American high

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school education was now available. Because of this the American Missionary Association (AMA) closed Dorchester Academy in the spring of 1940 because they did not want to duplicate the work of the local public schools. All of the 1940 twelfth grade students voted to receive their diplomas from Dorchester Academy and the remaining students were distributed among the other African American public schools in the county.

(sidebar)
Boys' Dormitory
Elizabeth B. Moore Hall
photograph taken 2004
Most of Dorchester Academy's old buildings were torn down by the AMA in 1945 because of their poor condition. They decided it would be cost effective to remodel the new brick boys dormitory. The AMA contributed $10 for every $1 raised in Liberty County, up to $20,000. Locals organized the Dorchester Cooperative Building Fund Drive and raised $2,000 to save Elizabeth Moore Hall.

Erected 2004 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 1932.

Location. 31° 48.031′ N, 81° 27.891′ W. Marker is in Midway, Georgia, in Liberty County. It is on East Oglethorpe Highway (U.S. 84) near Lewis Frasier Road. 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.

Dorchester Academy gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 8, 2008

2. Dorchester Academy gate

Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles.

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,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Liberty County Citizen's Council 1946 - 1953 (within shouting distance of this marker); Working Together at the Dorchester Cooperative Center 1930s-1940s (within shouting distance of this marker); S.C.L.C. and the Voter Education Program 1962-1970 (within shouting distance of this marker); Elizabeth Moore at Dorchester Academy 1925-1932 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Growth Of Dorchester Academy 1874 - 1930s (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil Liberties at Dorchester Cooperative Center 1940 - present (about 300 feet away); Dorchester Academy (about 400 feet away); Dorchester Academy Boy's Dormitory (about 400 feet away); The Story of the "Bell" at Dorchester Academy (about 400 feet away); Midway Congregational Church 1872 - Present (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Midway.

Dorchester Academy, Elizabeth Moore Hall. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

3. Dorchester Academy, Elizabeth Moore Hall.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 8, 2008

4. Dorchester Academy, Elizabeth Moore Hall

New Life For Dorchester Academy 1932-1940 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, February 18, 2011

5. New Life For Dorchester Academy 1932-1940 Marker

Marker is located near the entrance to Moore Hall on the northeast side of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,523 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 11, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on April 15, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.