Joseph N. Crooms facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph N. Crooms
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J.N. Crooms posing with the Crooms Academy Class of 1929, on the front steps of his home at 812 South Sanford Ave.
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| Born | June 17, 1880 Orlando, Florida |
| Died | March 14, 1957 (77 years old) Sanford, Florida |
| Occupation | Founder and Principle of Crooms Academy, Educator |
| Spouse | Wealthy Mabel (Richardson) Crooms |
| Children | Nathalie (Crooms) Jenkins |
Joseph Nathaniel Crooms, also known as J. N. Crooms, was an important African American principal and educator in Florida. He lived from 1880 to 1957. He started two schools for African American students in Seminole County, Florida. The first was Hopper Academy. The second was Crooms Academy in Goldsboro (now part of Sanford), Florida. Crooms Academy opened in 1926. It was the first four-year high school for African Americans in Seminole County, Florida.
Early Life and Education
Joseph Crooms was born in Orlando, Florida, in 1880. He was the fifth child of Moses and Daphne Crooms. His parents had been freed from slavery. They taught their children that education was very important.
Moses Crooms worked for a railroad company. He saved enough money to buy land in Orlando. The Crooms family became well known in the black community of Central Florida. Many of Joseph's brothers and sisters became successful in education or religious work.
In 1906, Joseph and his wife, Wealthy Richardson Crooms, moved to Sanford, Florida. Joseph became the principal of Hopper Academy. He helped build the school house that is still there today.
Building a Legacy: Crooms Academy
Hopper Academy was built in 1906. It was the only school for African American children in that area at the time. The school taught skills like carpentry and agriculture. Classes only went up to the 10th grade. The school year was planned so students could help their families with farm work. This helped students learn basic skills for their communities.
Joseph Crooms wanted to offer more subjects at Hopper Academy. He wanted to include arts and sciences. Joseph and Wealthy Crooms gave 17.5 acres (7.1 ha) of their own land in Goldsboro. They started building a new school there.
This new school became Crooms Academy. It was a four-year high school. It was made to help young black students learn and grow. The school used a quarter system for its academic terms.
Crooms Academy opened in 1926. After that, Hopper Academy became the elementary and middle school. It taught students from kindergarten to eighth grade. Joseph and Wealthy Crooms were pioneers in education for African American students. Crooms Academy gave students access to visual arts, performing arts, music, and sciences.
Community and Family Life
Joseph and Wealthy Crooms were very active in their community. They often let people stay in their home. They also gave jobs to these people at their school as teachers or staff. They even took in children who needed a place to live. One of these children was Clifford Joel Hurston. He was the younger brother of the famous writer Zora Neale Hurston.
In 1920, the Crooms built their home at 812 South Sanford Ave. This house was designed by a local African American architect named Prince W. Spears. It became a tradition for students graduating from Hopper and Crooms Academy to take their graduation photos with Joseph on the steps of his house. Crooms Academy also had yearly parades down South Sanford Avenue. These parades featured baton twirlers and marching bands.
Joseph was a talented piano player. He taught choir at the Academy. He also gave piano lessons at his home. He was known for being strict but fair.
Joseph was good friends with Mary McLeod Bethune, another important educator. They worked with other black investors to create the Bethune Beach Corporation. They bought beach property and built a motel called "Welricha." It was named after Joseph's wife, Wealthy. This motel was one of the few places on the Atlantic Ocean that welcomed people of color.
Joseph had one daughter, Nathalie Crooms Jenkins. She was born in 1912. After Joseph passed away, Nathalie adopted two sons.
Death
Joseph Crooms died on March 15, 1957, from a heart attack.
