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 early 1870.

History of Tullibody Academy

William Burns Paterson started his school in a very simple way. He began teaching near the McFadden plantation. His first classroom was a "brush arbor," which is like a shelter made from branches.

Later, he moved the school into a log house. This house was called Hopewell. It was about four miles from Greensboro. In 1871, Paterson moved his school right into Greensboro. At that time, Greensboro was a small town with fewer than 2,000 people.

When he first started in Greensboro, Paterson had only five or six students. They learned "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 opened the first school for African Americans in Greensboro, some white people protested. They did not agree with "Negro education." They especially did not want to pay for it. They believed African Americans should educate themselves.

Paterson faced a "long and hard struggle" to get money for the school. However, he had friends like the McFaddens. Other important people, including plantation owners, also helped him. With their support and his hard work, Paterson slowly earned respect. He gained the help of many good people in the area.

So, while some wealthy white people supported the school, others in the community did not care or were against "Negro education." Paterson spent most of his time and energy on Tullibody Academy. He believed he worked harder than anyone else in Alabama.

By September 1873, Paterson was offering many subjects. These included reading, writing, and arithmetic. Students could also learn geometry, music, and drawing. Advanced subjects like Latin, Greek, German, French, Spanish, Hebrew, chemistry, and philosophy were also taught.

Reputation of Tullibody Academy

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

On July 26, 1878, Paterson left Tullibody Academy. He became the President of the State Normal School and University for Colored Students and Teachers in Marion, Alabama. John William Beverly was Paterson's best student. He later became a teacher at Tullibody. Beverly and other students followed Paterson to Marion. They continued their studies with him there.

Tullibody Academy continued to operate until at least 1886. John William Beverly served as the school's principal from 1882 until 1886. It seems Tullibody either closed or joined the public schools when Beverly left in 1886. Mr. A. Wimbs was also a student at the school.