Academy for the Blind, Macon, Georgia

Location: Macon, Bibb, Georgia, United States
Surname/tag: black_heritage

The purpose of this page is to provide some history, but more importantly, to connect the individuals associated with the:

Georgia Academy for the Blind

The Georgia State Legislature established the Academy for the Blind in 1852 in Macon, Georgia for white students.^{[1] [2]}

In Jul 1929, The Macon News published the History of Macon, which had been assembled in 1923 for the city's centennial: ^[3]

"In 1883, the Academy for the Blind for Negroes was established. Lewis Williams, former teacher in the public schools, was elected principal of the academy. The academy opened with only two pupils. Year by year the attendance has steadily increased. At present, (in 1923) there are four teachers and forty-five students at the institution. In the forty years of existence there have been only four principals, Lewis Williams, Sr., Nancy Williams, wife of the first principal, Sarah McKinley and Lewis H Williams, Jr., present principal.

"The academy is not a home or an asylum. It is a school where children between the ages of six and eighteen are given instruction similar to that given in public schools. The boys are taught chair-caning and broom-making; the girls are taught sewing and household arts. All are taught music, and many of them have become quite accomplished teachers of music in other schools." ^[3]

In Jan 1929, The Macon News published the results of the inspections and investigations of public institutions:

"Georgia academy for the blind with Dr. G. F. Oliphant in charge is really two institutions. There are now 75 pupils in the white school which is beautifully located on Vineville avenue. There are 33 pupils in the colored school with Lewis H Williams, colored, in charge. The Georgia academy for the blind is splendidly conducted and we commend the management for their good work." ^[4]

The separation between white and colored students persisted until about 1965, when they were integrated.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Georgia Academy for the Blind Website
2. ↑ Georgia Department of Education - Georgia Academy for the Blind
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} The History of Macon (special section starting on page 15) Negroes; The Macon News, Macon, Georgia, Wednesday, 10 Jul 1929, page 50, found on Newspapers.com
4. ↑ Public Institutions; The Macon News, Macon, Georgia, Wednesday, 30 Jan 1929, page 8, found on Newspapers.com
5. ↑ The Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind - page for Georgia Academy for the Blind, Colored Department

• Georgia Academy for the Blind on Wikipedia