Brainerd Institute was a school for African Americans in

Chester, South Carolina Chester is a small rural city in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 5,607 at the 2010 census, down from 6,476 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Chester County. History While being transported to Richmond, ...

. It was founded by the Presbyterian Church and opened in 1868. Alumni include Vivian Ayers Allen and

Daniel Jackson Sanders Daniel Jackson Sanders (February 15, 1847 – March 6, 1907) was a Presbyterian clergyman who served as president of Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina and published a Presbyterian newspaper for African Americans. He was the first Afri ...

. Originally an elementary school it served 10 grades by 1913. It expanded to include Brainerd Junior College, a teacher training program, in 1934. It closed in 1939 as competition from public schools increased. Originally established with support from the Freedmen's Bureau, the school was later sponsored by the Presbyterian Church. The only remaining building from the school's 18 acre campus is

Kumler Hall Kumler Hall is a historic dormitory that was part of the Brainerd Institute, in Chester, Chester County, South Carolina. Brainerd Institute was one of the earliest and finest of the many private schools established for African-American freedmen i ...

. It is listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artist ...

. The University of South Carolina Libraries have a collection of photographs related to the school. It was preceded by Fairfield Institute run by Willard Richardson in

Winnsboro, South Carolina Winnsboro is a town in Fairfield County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,550 at the 2010 census. The population was 3,215 at the 2020 census. A population decrease of approximately 9.5% for the same 10 year period. It is the ...

References

External links

National Register of Historic Places in Chester County, South Carolina Presbyterian schools in the United States African-American history of South Carolina {{AfricanAmerican-stub