Avery Normal Institute Papers (1862-1954, 1978)

Avery Research Center Manuscript Number 1012

Historical Note:

The Avery Normal Institute was established by the American Missionary Association (AMA) in Charleston, South Carolina in 1865. It originally served as a school for former slaves and free persons of color, providing normal, or teacher, training to students pursuing careers in education. Avery’s educational mission evolved as its all-black administrators, faculty, and students played pivotal roles in combating racism and Jim Crow laws in Charleston. The school eventually became known just as Avery Institute, operating as a high school, with financial support from the AMA until 1947, when it became part of Charleston’s segregated public school system. It was closed in 1954. Decades after the institution ceased to exist, many of its alumni were instrumental in creating the Avery Research Center for African American History & Culture, which is housed in the old Avery Building, at 125 Bull Street.

Scope and Content: 1.5 linear ft. (ca. 1990s photocopies of earlier materials)

The Avery Normal Institute Papers (1862-1954, 1978) consist of photocopied materials re Avery Normal Institute generated by the American Missionary Association office in New York, NY and housed by the Amistad Research Center in New Orleans, LA. They are separated in six small series: Annual Reports (1862-1945), Administrative Correspondence (1931-1954), Financial Records (1943-1946), Employee Files (1926-1945), Writings and Publications (1882-1952), and Miscellaneous Files (1878-1978). Annual Reports consist of sections of AMA Annual Report publications highlighting Avery. Administrative Correspondence consists of miscellaneous correspondence exchanged between the AMA and Avery. Financial Records consist of reports regarding the financial status of the school compiled by Avery officials and submitted to the AMA. Employee Files consist of employment information on members of the Avery faculty. The series on Writings and Publications contains issues of the Avery Tiger (the school newspaper), miscellaneous materials (such as reports on Avery’s history), and a Master’s Thesis by Avery staff member Alphonso H. Hoursey on Avery graduates. Finally, a miscellaneous file includes various programs, flyers, and newspaper clippings. Frequently mentioned individuals include AMA officials Ruth Morton and Fred Brownlee, and Avery principals Frank DeCosta, Samuel Washington and John Potts.

Subject entries

Avery Normal Institute

Avery Institute

African Americans- education

African Americans – teachers

African Americans – administrators

African Americans – principals

African Americans – high school graduates

SC – Education – high schools

SC – Education – segregated schools

SC – Education – private schools

American Missionary Association

Amistad Research Center

Hoursey, Alphonso H., 1900 - 1977

Morton, Ruth, 1900 – 1989

Brownlee, Fred, 1883 - 1962

DeCosta, Frank, 1910 - 1972

Washington, Samuel, b. 1901

Potts, John, 1908 – 1998

Avery Normal Institute Collection (1862-1954, 1978)
Avery Research Center Manuscript Number 1012
	Box#/
	Folder #
Annual Reports
Photocopies of sections of American Missionary Association (AMA) Annual Reports (Oct 1862- Oct 1880) re involvement in South Carolina, almost all mentioning Avery Normal Institute. Lists South Carolina ministers and teachers as well as reports on Avery Institute. Reports include reprints of correspondence and various statistics, including lists of teachers, number of students, and value of property.	1-1
Photocopies of sections of AMA Annual Reports (Oct 1881- Oct 1901) re Avery Normal Institute. Lists South Carolina schools and reports on Avery Institute. Reports include reprints of correspondence and various statistics, including lists of teachers, trustees, principals, and number of students.	1-2
Photocopies of sections of AMA Annual Reports (Oct 1902- Oct 1922) re Avery Normal Institute. Lists South Carolina schools and reports statistics on Avery Institute. Statistics include lists of teachers, principals, and number of students.	1-3
Photocopies of sections of AMA Annual Reports (Oct 1923- Oct 1945) re Avery Normal Institute. With statistical reports, listing teachers, principals, and number of students. Almost all contain principal reports which detail student attendance, programs, funding, class sizes, etc.	1-4
Typed transcripts (1941) of AMA Annual Reports (Oct 1866- Oct 1941) referring to Avery Normal Institute collected in folders 1-1 to 1-4 (see above).	1-5
Photocopies of records submitted to AMA from Avery for publication in Annual Reports including two principal's reports (1940, nd.), and two filled-out facts and figures forms (1941, 1942)	1-6
Administrative Correspondence
Photocopied administrative correspondence with enclosed materials (June 1931-Dec 1940) to and from AMA officials (Ruth Morton, Fred Brownlee, etc) and active and prospective Avery staff (Frank DeCosta, Charles Parker, Thelma Menchan, Fannie Frazier, Charles Nichols, etc) re Avery Normal Institute, hiring faculty, salary disputes, and opportunities for employment advancement.	1-7
Photocopied administrative correspondence with enclosed materials (March 1941- Dec 1941) to and from AMA officials (Fred Brownlee, Ruth Morton) and active and prospective Avery staff (Florence Clyde, Margaretta Poinsette, Charles Parker, Thelma Menchan, Thomas Bennett) re Avery Normal Institute and hiring and retiring faculty (including replacing Principal Frank DeCosta with Howard Bennett), garnering donations (including for restoring deteriorating building and improving teacher housing) and acquiring supplies. Enclosed materials include fact sheet and policies and procedures of AMA.	1-8
Photocopied administrative correspondence with enclosed materials (Jan 1942-Dec 1943) to and from AMA officials (Ruth Morton, Fred Brownlee, etc) and active and prospective Avery staff (Howard Bennett, Charles Nicholas, Hattie Greene, Frank DeCosta, Elizabeth Jackson, A.W. Hoursey ) re Avery Normal Institute, hiring and resigning faculty, acquiring supplies, salaries, repairing building, and comments on financial reports. Enclosed materials include curriculum outline, wedding invitation.	1-9
Photocopied administrative correspondence with enclosed materials (Jan 1944-May 1944) to and from AMA officials (Ruth Morton, Fred Brownlee, etc) and active and prospective Avery staff (Florence Clyde, Howard Bennett, Josephine Nichols, C.S. Ledbetter, etc.) re Avery Normal Institute and hiring and resigning faculty, acquiring supplies, salaries, $10,000 fund drive, possibly selling 54 Montagu St. property. Enclosed materials include retirement fund, tax deductions, and sewing class schedules, news clippings, flyers, etc. re $10,000 fund drive .	1-10
Photocopied administrative correspondence with enclosed materials (May 1944-July 1944) to and from AMA officials (Ruth Morton, etc.) re Avery Normal Institute matters such as financing Institute, employment, selling property, replacing principle, Advisory board, etc. Of note are newspaper clippings and correspondence re reaction to Avery students applying for admission to white-only College of Charleston.	2-1
Photocopied administrative correspondence with enclosed materials (Aug 1944-Dec 1944) to and from AMA officials (Ruth Morton, etc.) re Avery Normal Institute matters such as teacher employment, recommendations, replacing the principal, possibility of making Avery into Junior college, getting financial government support, etc.	2-2
Photocopied administrative correspondence with enclosed materials (Jan 1945-Apr 1945) to and from AMA officials (Ruth Morton, etc.) re Avery Normal Institute matters such as school's financial status, teacher salaries and employment, administrative council proceedings including copy of its constitution; fire damaging building including inspection of damage and inventories, etc.	2-3
Photocopied administrative correspondence with enclosed materials (May 1945-Aug 1945) to and from AMA officials (Fred Brownlee, Ruth Morton, etc.) and Avery staff (Samuel Washington, John Potts, Thelma Manigault, Charlotte Tracy, etc.) re Avery Normal Institute matters such as fire damage, teacher salaries and employment, administrative council proceedings, financial matters such as ending AMA appropriations to Avery, connecting curriculums with Burke High School, resignation of Samuel Washington (Director) and hiring of John Potts as replacement. Enclosed materials include a report on certification requirements for elementary teachers, and a commencement invitation.	2-4
Photocopied administrative correspondence with enclosed materials (Feb 1948-Apr 1954) to and from AMA officials (Fred Brownlee, Ruth Morton, etc.) and Avery staff (John Potts, Lois Simms, etc.) re Avery Normal Institute matters such as selling 54 Montagu St. property, acquiring supplies for the school, getting access to Avery records housed in AMA office, and closing of Avery. Enclosed materials include a calendar of school events for 1947-1948, a complete list of principals and teachers from 1900-1954, and newspaper clippings re the abandonment of Avery.	2-5
Financial Records
Photocopied financial reports of Avery Normal Institute (Jun 1942-Dec 1942) compiled monthly by the principal of Avery and submitted to the AMA. Includes information on expenses (for staff salaries, plant operation and maintenance, auxiliary enterprises such as book supplies, etc.) and income (from student fees, gifts, etc.) with detailed lists of checks written during daily operations of the school. Also includes list of accounts payable and receivable, along with report analysis and cash forecasts.	2-6
Photocopied financial reports of Avery Normal Institute with enclosed materials (Jan 1943-Dec 1943) compiled monthly by the principal of Avery and submitted to the AMA. Includes information on expenses (for staff salaries, plant operation and maintenance, auxiliary enterprises such as book supplies, etc.) and income (from student fees, gifts, etc.) with detailed lists of checks written during daily operations of the school. Also includes list of accounts payable and receivable, along with report analysis and cash forecast for subsequent month. Enclosed materials include correspondence explaining report incongruities.	2-7
Photocopied financial reports of Avery Normal Institute (Jan 1944-Sept 1944) compiled monthly by the principal of Avery and submitted to the AMA. Includes information on expenses (for staff salaries, plant operation and maintenance, auxiliary enterprises such as book supplies, etc.) and income (from student fees, gifts, etc.) with detailed lists of checks written during daily operations of the school. Also includes list of accounts payable and receivable, along with report analysis and cash forecasts.	2-8
Photocopied financial reports of Avery Normal Institute with enclosed materials (Feb 1945-May 1946) compiled monthly by the principal of Avery and submitted to the AMA. Includes information on expenses (for staff salaries, plant operation and maintenance, auxiliary enterprises such as book supplies, etc.) and income (from student fees, gifts, etc.) with detailed lists of checks written during daily operations of the school. Also includes list of accounts payable and receivable, along with report analysis and cash forecast for subsequent month. Enclosed materials include correspondence explaining report incongruities.	2-9
Photocopied correspondence (Nov 1945-Apr 1946) re financial reports including AMA audit reports, explanations of incongruities and changes made to reports.	2-10
Employee Files
Photocopies of employee files with surnames starting with letters A-B (Apr 1930 -- Sept 1944). Includes employment information of members of the faculty and staff at Avery such as appointment contracts, filled-out candidate application blanks, health screening information, several recommendation forms per applicant, and at times pictures of candidates and college transcripts. Also includes correspondence re employment between teachers and the AMA.	3-1
Photocopies of employee files with surnames starting with letters C-G (Sept 1934-Aug 1944). As described above.	3-2
Photocopies of employee files with surnames starting with letters H-N (July 1926-Aug 1944). As described above.	3-3
Photocopies of employee files with surnames starting with letters P-Z (Aug 1936-Aug 1945). As described above.	3-4
Writings and Publications
Incomplete photocopies of four issues of the Avery Tiger (Oct 1931, Nov 1942, Oct-Nov 1951), Avery's monthly, student-run newspaper. Includes misc. news re Avery (such as participation in war efforts), editorials, sports commentary, humor column, short story by Alphonso Hoursey, and advertisements.	3-5
Photocopies of misc. writings (1882-1885, Jan 1944- 1952, nd.) on Avery. Includes reports and memoranda re the history and progress of the school by Avery employees (such as Principle M.A. Holmes), and AMA officials (Ruth Morton, Fred Brownlee). The folder also includes an essay (1952) entitled "Negro Higher Education in SC" by Prof. Lewis McMillan and an excerpt of the City of Charleston Yearbook (1885) re damages sustained to building from hurricane of Aug. 1885.	3-6
Photocopy of U. Michigan Master's Thesis (July 1941) entitled " A Follow Up Survey of Graduates of Avery Institute, Charleston, South Carolina, For Years 1930-1940" by Alphonso W. Hoursey.	3-7
Miscellaneous Files
Photocopies of misc materials re Avery (1878-1978). Includes programs (re graduation ceremonies, etc.), list of student art exhibits, catalogue of courses of study, statement of philosophy and long term plans written by John Potts (principal 1947), constitution of Avery Administrative Council, photograph (possibly of 1978 class reunion), a floor plan re repairs to Avery building (ca. 1942?), flyer "News from Avery Institute" and two teacher blurbs.	3-8
Photocopies of misc materials not re Avery including News and Courier clippings (Aug 1943) re black voting in Charleston, and race-relations (segregation, racism, etc.). Two issues of Scholastic Roto-- The High School World in Picture and Paragraph (Oct & Nov. 1951).	3-9