Cooper’s Academy Commencement & Homecoming (1919)

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Cooper’s Academy Commencement & Homecoming

Archival ID: 1919_05_29_County_Record_P2

Date: May 29, 1919 | Location: Cades & Kingstree, S.C. | Individuals Mentioned: Rev. M. C. Newman, Mrs. Flora L. Nesmith, Rev. A. W. Puller, Rev. Harry Pressley, Rev. N. W. Green

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The County Record May 29 1919 Full Page

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Archival Transcription

Colored School Closed

Cades, May 24.—The commencement exercises of the Cooper’s Academy were the greatest in its history. Among the amusing features were the mock world fair and the records of the hour Thursday and Friday night… On Sunday, May 18, after recitation of the Sunday School lesson Mrs. Flora L. Nesmith was presented to the school and in her excellent style enthused the school so that many saw a brighter future for its progress… Tuesday, May 20, at 3:30 p.m. he returned colored soldiers paraded on the campus and assembled in the church where they listened to a strong address by the Rev. N. W. Green of Florence… The colored people of this section are among the best in the country. They have played their part in the war and in the mean time have increased the enrollment of the school and prolonged the school term.”

Why This News Matters

This 1919 report is a vital record of the “Red Summer” era, demonstrating the resilience and institutional strength of the Black community in Williamsburg County. The homecoming of World War I soldiers paraded at a school commencement highlights the deep connection between military service, community education, and civil rights leadership. It also showcases the instrumental role of women like Mrs. Flora L. Nesmith in driving local educational advancement.

Archival Note: Historical Context
Cooper’s Academy in Cades served as a cornerstone for African American education. These records document the community’s successful efforts to fund a $10,000 dormitory and their dedication to increasing enrollment, providing evidence of self-reliance and progress during the early 20th century.

Archival Citation

“Colored School Closed.” The County Record (Kingstree, S.C.), May 29, 1919, Page 2. Digitized by University of South Carolina via Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://historicnewspapers.sc.edu/lccn/sn93067841/1919-05-29/ed-1/seq-2/&gt; ID: 1919_05_29_County_Record_P2.
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