Howe Institute facts for kids
The Howe Institute was an important school in Memphis, Tennessee. It was first called the Memphis Baptist and Normal Institute. Peter Howe from Illinois started the school in 1888. It was one of the first private schools for African American students in Memphis. The school changed its name to Howe Institute sometime before 1910.
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A Special School for African American Students
In 1902, a famous leader named Thomas O. Fuller became the principal. He was an author and a civil rights leader. A state park, T. O. Fuller State Park, is named after him.
The school campus had several buildings. These included the original Howe Building and an Industrial Shop. The Industrial Shop had rooms for printing and sewing classes. There was also a Teacher's College building. Girls lived in the Clara Howe Dormitory. The Institute also helped the community through "settlement work." This meant they offered services and support to people living nearby.
What Students Learned
By 1908, the Howe Institute had 12 teachers, plus Principal Fuller. Students could study many subjects:
- Literary: Regular school subjects like reading and writing.
- Industrial: Practical skills like sewing, printing, and making baskets.
- Ministerial: Training for people who wanted to become religious leaders.
- Missionary Training: Preparing students to help others through missionary work.
- Stenography and Typewriting: Learning how to take notes quickly and type.
Challenges and Changes
The Howe Institute did not have a large fund of money (called an endowment) to help it run. It depended on money from student fees (tuition) and gifts (donations).
During the Great Depression, a very difficult time for the economy in the 1930s, the school received less money. Because of this, the Howe Institute had to close. In 1937, its buildings were sold. The school then joined with LeMoyne–Owen College, another important college in Memphis.
Notable Alumni
Many successful people attended the Howe Institute:
- Richard Wright: A famous American author who wrote novels, short stories, and poems.
- Mordecai Wyatt Johnson: The first African American president of Howard University.
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