African-American center added to National Register
The future home of the Center for African American History, Arts and Culture has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The building, which sits at 120 York St. N.E., is the former home of the Immanuel School, which was constructed in the late 1800s.
Coleen Reed, a member of the steering committee for the CAAHAC worked to put together the application which highlights the history of the Immanuel School, and earned the designation.
"We are really excited about the designation of this historic building," Reed said.
The Immanuel School was founded by the Rev. W.R. Coles, in 1881. The building has been referred to by many names in its history, including Immanuel Institute, Coles Normal and Industrial School and Emanuel Mission School and African School, among others. Students who attended the school also referred to it as Coles' School, after Coles, who served as the school's principal at one point.
The school was established as an industrial training school for children of former slaves during the Reconstruction era. At the school, students learned the three Rs - Reading, writing and arithmetic - as well as music and jobs skills, such as sewing and carpentry.
After leaving the Immanuel School, students often went off to open their own businesses, became employees of Aiken's Winter Colonists, farmed or worked other trades. The Immanuel School eventually closed in 1931.
Work is also continuing in the construction of the CAAHAC.
Access Museum Services, a Tennessee-based company, will meet with CAAHAC officials this morning to discuss designs for the interactive exhibits that will be assembled inside the cultural center once it is complete, according to Jo-Anne Saunders, a spokeswoman for the CAAHAC.
Saunders said the group is hoping the design for the exhibits will be complete by August.
The Center's exhibits will chronicle the journey of African-Americans in Aiken County from Africa to the 20th century. Officials with the Center have also said that the exhibits will highlight different aspects of life for Aiken County African-Americans from religion to professions, community life and sports.
Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.
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