Peabody Academy of Troy, NC

Peabody Academy was established in 1880 in Troy, NC by the American Missionary Association for the sole purpose of educating African Americans of Montgomery County, NC. The Negro boarding school attracted students from all of the surrounding rural areas including towns now known as Biscoe, Mount Gilead, Candor, Pekin, Star, in addition to Troy, NC. Peabody Academy was the only institution that served the educational needs of African Americans.[2]

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History

Douglas Hall

In 1913 under the leadership of Principal and Reverend Sims, a successful fundraising campaign would help collect approximately $6,000 for the erection of a brick building to serve as the main building of Peabody Academy. The building would be called Douglas Hall. These funds would also be dedicated to constructing a new boy’s dormitory to be named Anderson Hall. However, WWI would put a halt to Rev Sim’s ambitious plan. [2]

By 1920, Douglas Hall was near completion and a magnificent structure it was. Peabody students, staff, and carpenters sent by the AMA joined together to construct the school’s main building. It was a cathedral-like building, composed of brick, with a wall of windows over 25-feet high surrounding the large front double doors. It was modern in every respect, including indoor plumbing and electric lighting. Classrooms were on the first and second floor. The main feature of the first floor was the beautiful chapel and auditorium. The basement housed the school cafeteria and science laboratories. [2]

Douglas Hall was destroyed by fire in 1946. The current standing Main Hall for Peabody Academy was built on the same foundation of Douglas Hall.[2]

The American Missionary Association

The American Missionary Association (AMA) was a nondenominational abolitionist society dedicated to providing education and political rights to African Americans. The AMA was founded in Syracuse, New York, in 1846 through the merger of a group of abolitionists who supported the uprising of slaves on the Amistad in 1839 with several small missionary organizations.[3] Though the AMA’s constitution stated that spreading the Christian gospel to America and other nations was the primary goal of the association, it quickly began to center its activities around anti-slavery missions. As slaves were freed during the Civil War, the AMA altered its mission to making provisions for them. More than 500 churches and schools were set up by the AMA to help acculturate the newly freed slaves.[4] The (AMA) sent Reverend William Ellis to Troy, NC to build a Congregational church and school.

After the death of Rev. Ellis, Reverend Orishatukeh Faduma, a native African and graduate of London University and Yale, led the school for 17 years starting in 1895. Rev. Faduma was a fine man of moral character and integrity, born in Sierra-Leon. Rev. Faduma graduated from Methodist High School, studied at Queens College in Taunton and London University. He received a Bachelor of Arts In 1885, the first man from Sierra-Leon to do so. He continued his education at Yale University Divinity School , receiving the Bachelor of Divinity in 1895. Peabody excelled academically under the leadership of Fuduma. The curriculum in those days included courses in the Theology, Masonry, Early Childhood Development, Finance & Economics, Mathematics, Science, and English.[5]

Peabody Community Development, Inc

Alumni and former students of Peabody High School formed and incorporated an organization to encourage alumni to participate actively in the Troy community and Montgomery County alike. It also promotes its members to attend events, to volunteer, to create new ways for alumni to stay connected to each other, and to contribute to the greatness of North Carolina. Members meet once a month at the Peabody Museum inside of the Troy Housing Authority.

The organization approved a partnership with the Peabody Legacy Project to preserve and highlight the legacy of Peabody Academy, Peabody High School, and Peabody Alumni. The project's secondary mission is to establish a digital footprint for the Peabody Academy/High School through a docuseries, interviews, online postings, videos, and use of social media.

References
  1. Maynard, John (2015). Paradigm of Hope. ISBN 978-1-387-14647-5.
  2. John, Maynard (2015). Paradigm of Hope: The Story of Peabody Academy. Troy, NC: Star Heritage Association. p. 232.
  3. "American Missionary Association archives, 1828-1969 | Amistad Research Center". amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  4. "American Missionary Association". Encyclopedia Of Arkansas.
  5. Maynard, John (2015). Church and State. p. 19.

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