Mayers' Industrial School Explained

Mayers' Industrial School (1904–c. 1930) was a private boarding and day school for African American students in Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. The school was in part funded by the Presbyterian Board of Missions. It was also known as People's Industrial School,^[1] Mayers’ Industrial High School,^[2] and Myers' Industrial School.^[3]

History

The school was founded as the People's Industrial School in 1904, by the principal Flora E. Mayers (?–1930), and was owned the Presbyterian Board of Missions. Mayers had studied at a "colored school" in Maryville, and at Swift Memorial College in Rogersville. She was married to Rev. Richard Mayers.^[4]

The early classes for Mayers' Industrial School were held at a building at 923 Vine Avenue at Lynch Street in East Knoxville, and school events were held at Market Hall.^{[5] [6] [7]} It offered programs in bible study, sewing, woodworking, and cooking. In 1908, the school name changed to Mayers' Industrial School by the women at the Union Presbyterian Society. Their student work was displayed in the "Negro Building" at the Appalachian Exposition in 1911.

In August 1911, the school secured a building at 606 Payne Street in Knoxville, which had formerly housed the Slater Training School.^{[8] [9]} The school was able to raise the funds to purchase the building by fundraising and with help from the Presbyterian Freemen's Board, and Knoxville-local Charles Cramer.^[10] The campus contained dorms for boarding, as well as operated as a day school. When the Shiloh Presbyterian Church suffered from a fire in 1912, the African American church temporarily used the chapel at Mayers' Industrial School for worship.^{[11] [12]}

Legacy

Multiple photographs of the school are included a collection at the Knox County Public Library.

See also

• Knoxville College
• List of industrial schools

Notes and References

1. Book: United States Office of Education . Negro Education: A Study of the Private and Higher Schools for Colored People in the United States . 1917 . U.S. Government Printing Office . 555 . en . Mayer's Industrial School.
2. Web site: Mayers’ Industrial High School . Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, Knox County Public Library.
3. News: September 13, 1911 . Colored Building Quite Attractive . . 4 . Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, Knox County Public Library . 12008657.
4. Web site: 1931-02-25 . Preacher's Will Filed . 2024-11-05 . . 9 . en-US . Newspapers.com.
5. Web site: 1905-06-13 . Closing Exercises of Industrial High School . 2024-11-05 . The Journal and Tribune . 5 . en-US . Newspapers.com.
6. Web site: 1905-04-22 . Medal and Ring Contest Held at Market Hall . 2024-11-05 . The Journal and Tribune . 5 . en-US . Newspapers.com.
7. Web site: 1907-06-30 . Better Quarters Wanted . 2024-11-05 . The Journal and Tribune . 5 . en-US . Newspapers.com.
8. News: May 31, 1916 . Mayers School's Excellent Work . 2024-11-05 . . en-US . Newspapers.com.
9. News: August 14, 1911 . Slater School Building For Industrial Training . . 8 . Newspapers.com.
10. Web site: 1908-02-08 . People's Industrial High School Bazaar . 2024-11-05 . The Journal and Tribune . 9 . en-US . Newspapers.com.
11. News: Shiloh Presbyterian turning 128 Sunday . . 17 . Newspapers.com.
12. Web site: 1955-09-03 . Shiloh Presbyterian To Mark 90th Year . 2024-11-05 . . en-US . Newspapers.com.