Snow Hill Normal and Industrial Institute facts for kids
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Snow Hill Normal and Industrial Institute
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Snow Hill, Alabama |
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| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman, Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 95000146 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1995 |
The Snow Hill Normal and Industrial Institute was a special school in Snow Hill, Alabama. It was created for African American children. The school was also known as the Colored Industrial and Literary Institute of Snow Hill.
It was started in 1893 by Dr. William James Edwards. He was a graduate of Tuskegee University. The school began in a small, one-room log cabin. Over time, it grew a lot. The campus ended up with 27 buildings. It had 35 staff members and more than 400 students.
The school was private until 1924. That's when Dr. Edwards retired. Then, the State of Alabama took over and made it a public school. The school closed in 1973. This happened after schools in Wilcox County, Alabama became desegregated. This meant students of all races could attend the same schools.
Out of the original 27 buildings, only eight are still standing today. These buildings show different styles, like Queen Anne and Craftsman. The remaining buildings include the founder's home, five teachers' houses, and the library.
In 1980, people who loved the school decided to save the remaining buildings. Dr. Edwards' granddaughter, Consuela Lee Moorehead, reopened the school in June 1980. She called it the Springtree/Snow Hill Institute for the Performing Arts. It offered after-school and summer programs for local students. The arts institute ran until 2003. Moorehead had to close it because of her health. The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 24, 1995. This list helps protect important historical places.
The Founder: William James Edwards
William James Edwards was born in 1869. He was the person who started the Snow Hill Institute. He is buried near the school grounds.
Edwards wrote a book called Twenty-Five Years in the Black Belt. In his book, he wrote about his experiences. He also mentioned some important people who went to his school.
Famous Students from Snow Hill
- Emmanuel McDuffie: He started and led the Lauringburg Normal and Industrial Institute in Laurinburg, North Carolina.
- Rev. Emmanuel M. Brown: He was a teacher at the Street Manual Training School in Richmond, Alabama.
- John W. Brister: He created a special award at Snow Hill Institute.
- Waverley Turner Carmichael: He was known as the "Poet of Snow Hill" because of his writing.
