Tullibody Academy facts for kids

Tullibody Academy was a special school for African American students. It was located in Hale County, in central western Alabama. A man named William Burns Paterson started the school in the early 1870s.

A School's Beginning

William Burns Paterson began his school in a very simple way. He started it in a "brush arbor," which is like a shelter made of branches. This was near the McFadden family's farm. Later, he moved the school to a log house called Hopewell. This house was about four miles from the town of Greensboro.

In 1871, Paterson moved his school right into Greensboro. At first, he had only five or six students. They met outdoors "under the oaks," using logs as benches. Paterson was also a skilled builder. He used his talents to construct a proper schoolhouse. It was a wooden building, 65 feet long and 45 feet wide.

Paterson named his school Tullibody Academy. He chose this name to honor his hometown, Tullibody in Scotland. He led the school until 1878. Then, he became the principal of another school for African Americans in Marion.

Challenges and Support

When Paterson started the first school for African Americans in Greensboro, some white residents were not happy. They did not support "Negro education." They felt that African Americans should pay for their own schooling. Paterson faced a "long and hard struggle" to get money for the school.

However, he had friends like the McFaddens. Other farm owners and important citizens also helped him. With their support and his hard work, Paterson slowly earned the respect of many people in the area. A few wealthier white residents supported the school. Others in the community did not care or were against "Negro education."

While Paterson was the leader of Tullibody Academy, he spent most of his time and energy on the school. He believed he worked harder than anyone else in Alabama at his job.

By September 1873, Paterson planned to offer many subjects. These included reading, writing, arithmetic, and geometry. Students could also learn music, drawing, and several languages. These languages were Latin, Greek, German, French, Spanish, and Hebrew. Chemistry and philosophy were also part of the lessons.

School's Good Name

In 1877, a local newspaper called The Alabama Beacon said Tullibody Academy was "among the better Negro schools." At that time, it was a well-organized school. It had four teachers and the principal, Mr. Paterson.

On July 26, 1878, Paterson left Tullibody Academy. He took on a new role as the President of the State Normal School and University for Colored Students and Teachers in Marion, Alabama. Some of his best students from Tullibody, like John William Beverly, followed him to Marion. Beverly later became a teacher and then took over from Paterson.

Tullibody Academy continued to operate until at least 1886. John William Beverly was the school's principal from 1882 to 1886. It seems that Tullibody closed or joined with the public schools when Beverly left in 1886.

Mr. A. Wimbs was one of the students who attended Tullibody Academy.