Phillis Wheatley Ass'n Memoranda

Phillis Wheatley Ass'n. Memoranda Dec. 31st 1925

Greenville Phyllis [Phillis] Wheatley Association [written in pencil in margin]

DO NOT CIRCUTLATE [red stamp in margin]

The Phillis Wheatley Association was started by Mrs. Hattie Ducket in 1919. The First certificate of incorporation was issued December 17, 1920, filed for registration November 1923 (Recorded Volume 81, page 12-D R M C office, Greenville, S. C. )

A house and lot on E. McBee Ave. was purchased December 20, 1921 costing $3,500.00. The Association could not pay for alterations and rented the house at 12.00 per month. The Association first occupied its house on E. McBee Ave. September 1, 1922.

A reorganization of the Association was effected October 2, 1923. The new membership included white citizens and adopted a new Constitution and By-laws. An amnded Charter was issued Oct. 9, 1923 (Recoded in Volume of Deeds 81, page 534, Oct. 30, 1923) The following Board was elected: Thomas F. Parker, Rev. Frank A. Juhan, Floyd Hughes, Mrs. Frances Montgomery, Mrs. C. W. Crosby, White members : J. P. Chappelle, E. S. Holloway, Miss Mary L. Fisher and Mrs. Eva Fitchette, negro members. The following officers were elected: Thomas F. Parker, President, Rev. F. A. Juhan, Vice President, Floyd Hughes, treasurer. The President appointed E. B. Holloway Secretary, and Mrs. Hattie Duckett Superintendent.

The First annual meeting under the amended Charter and By-laws was held February 12, 1924, and the above mentioned Trustees and Officers, Superintendent and Secretary were respectively elected and appointed to serve for one year.

The Greenville Community Fund began operating May 1, 1922. The first year it endeavored to have the Negro community work and the Negro hospital financed entirely by money raised by Negroes. The result was unsatisfactory. The second year, beginning May 1, 1923, the Community Fund appropriated $1,200.00 of the White funds to the Phillis Wheatley Association, and $1,500.00 to St. Luke's Hospital, with the proviso that the Negroes must raise as much or more for the these institutions. The third year, the Community Fund approrpriated $2,500.00 to the Phillis Wheatley Association, and discontinued the appropriation to St. Luke's Hospital because of unsatisfactory action of its Board.

New Lot & Buildings : Messers B. E. Geer, Allen J. Graham and Thomas F. Parker, in October and November, 1924, purchsed a lot on Broad & Gas Streets, with a frontage of 205. 4 on E. Broad St. and a depth of 130.2 ft. Cost $27,000.00 (Deed recorded Vol. 88, pages 538 and 539 Book 82, page 279 Office R M C, Volume 67, page 108.) A new Phillis Wheatley Center was erected on this lot, contract price of building complete $34, 641.09 Architects' fee $1732.05. Furnishings approximately $1500.00. Grading and fencing $3400.00 Sundries $1,242.02. Total cost: $69,515.16.

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Mass Meeting: December 7, 1924, a Mass meeting was held in the new Phillis Wheatley Center. New Center Opened. The activities of the Center were transferred to the new building during the week ending December 13, 1924. An "Open House' was held at the Center for one week commencing January 4, 1925, at which many of the Negro organizations in the City and County assisted. Addresses were made by White and Negro speakers.

The staff - consists of : Mrs. Hattie Duckett, Supt., Mrs. Bronetta James, Miss A. J. Carey, Extension Worker, Mrs. Lydia Rogers, Matron of Home, Uriel Stags, Men and Boys Worker, Roxie Smith, Nursery Maid, Miss Ruther Foster, Music teacher, and a Janitor, There is a Volunteer Staff of colored professional teachers, about 15 in number. Eight white ladies from four Presbyterian churches regularly teacher Bible classes. A number of white professional workers give much assistance and other white ladies, mostly from the Methodist, Baptist and Episcopal church help. Dr. J. L. Mann, Mr. L. P. Hollis, Dr. Barksdale, Furman students, Dr. Mills from Clemson College, and a number of other white men have spoken and in other ways assisted at the Center.

(Note) changed ) since1930) [typed in margin] salaries reduced [written in margin in pencil]

Salaries paid at Phillis Wheatley: Mrs. Duckett, Supt. $100.00 per month ; Mrs. Bronetta James, $75.00 per month; Miss A. J. Carey Foster, graduate of Wilberforee College and having studied in New York as a much teacher) $100.00 per month; Uriel Staffs $75.00 per month ; Roxie Smith $25.00 per month. As a guide to salaries in Greenville, Negroes are paid as public school teachers $60.00; two superintendents in City schools$85.00 each, Superintendent of third school $100.00. The best Negro preachers are paid $1,500.00 per annum.

Financial: The April Financial Negro Campaign raised in case (1925) $3,150.75. In addition, the Negroes have raised among themselves (1925) $1,664.24. The White Community Fund has paid (1925) $2,438.62. There has been contributed and paid from rents and other sources (1925) $1,906.91. The Phillis Wheatley Branch of the G P Library has a budget (1925) of $2,500.00.

Enrollment at Center: In February 1925 there were about 150 Negro women at 50 men helping and contributing to the Center and about 250 children were taking park in its activities.

Attendance: During 1925 over 40,000 counted visits were made to the Center and about 60,00 counted contacts were made by the Extension workers at the schools and elsewhere.

Social Clubs: There are six or more clubs conducted at the Center for women and girls.

Classes are conducted for women and girls for domestic science, Bible study, training of nurses and other instruction. Musical instruction is emphasized.

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Clubs & Class are held for men and boys for manual training, music, Boy Scouts, Willing Workers (these are smaller boys [strike] tennis, foot-ball, basketball and other activities.

The Rest Room is steadily growing in popularity. It is mostly used by women and girls from the Country. Approximately 100 persons per month use this room at present. A Small Day Nursery is operated with from 5 to 15 children per day, depending on the season of the year and weather conditions.

The Colored Minsterial Union holds meetings weekly in the Center. The County Teachers' Ass'n. during a portion of the year, has monthly meetings. The County Teachers, during a portion of the year, have a Teachers' School twice monthly. Meetings of various kinds of various bodies, frequently promoted and assited by the workers, are held in the building and its club rooms. The Methodist Episcopal Church held a convention in December in Greenville, about 600 delegates attending. A White Bishop presided and half a dozen white speakers coming to it from outside the State. The principal reception and committee meetings were held at the Center, and eight of its clergy slept at the Center. The State Federation of Colored Womens Clubs (an important organization) is to hold its next meeting at the Center. Schools and other County Institutions hold their annual commencement exercises at the Center. County & City Academic contests are promoted by the Center. These will beheld at the Center and St. Alban's Training School. A Bureau of Information and Employment is much used by the White and colored citizens. There is some one in this office to answer the telepjone [telephone] from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.

A Competent Music Teacher is employed by the year, and a special instructior for choruses and concert singing for three weeks in 1924 and 1925. Students are charged and there is a charge for admission to concerts, which helps to defray the expenses of the teachings. The American Playground and Recreational Ass'n. paid in 1924 and 1925 one-half the expenses for three weeks of a Musical instructor. Mr. W. R. Hale is to donate $200.00 for 1926.

The Playground and Tennis Court is well patronized by boys and girls under competent supervision and instruction.

The Auditorium is specially adapted for musicals, dramatics, stereoticon pictures, athletic games, banquets and other social events. It has a good stage and two dressing rooms. The ceiling is 18 ft. high. There are no columns. It has a standard basket ball court. There are two dumb waiters connecting with the kitchen. It is wired for steropticon. In this hall are held Father & Son, and Mother & Daughter banquets, bazaars, Fashion shows and numerous other instructive and healthful gatherings.

A Daily Vacation Bible School for children was held for six weeks in June and July, 1925. Enrollment 130. Various kinds of useful

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instruction were given. The Phillis Wheatley paid staff was assisted by three voluntary teachers. Hikes, etc. A number of parties, hikes, games, etc. have been promoted in different sections of the City and the Country.

Camp: A Camp for boys and girls was conducted by the Center in the summer of 1925 about 14 miles from the City. Thirty eight girls and afterwards sixteen boys attended the camp for one week. The Camp was much enjoyed and was helfpul for instruction but the time was too short to accomplish what was desired. A Lay-by School for Negroes was conducted throuhg the efforts of the Center in the summer of 1925, attendance : 31 women and 3 men; results good. Home Demonstrations: A County Home Colored Demonstration Agent made her headquarters during 1925 at the Center, where she taught and assisted. She conducted a short course for club girls of the County at the Center, in which instruction in sewing, cooking, diet, handicraft, physical culture and devotional exercises were given.Miss Oetzel ( Tuberculosis worker) Miss Hanna, Miss McGee and Mrs. Hodges (White Y. W. C. A. secretaries) and two colored teachers, Miss F. C. Holloway, R. N. and Miss Bessie Arnette, assisted. Fifteen girls attended. They were guest of the City Club girls. They got their meals at the Center. This course lasted a week, was intensive, and was considered very successful.

Extension Work for women : And for boys and girls is done by Miss A. J. Carey, by organizing clubs and otherwise, in Greenville and its suburbs. Nine clubs have been organized with approximately 300 members. These will have occassional meetings at the Center. The Boys Secretary has drills for the children and teachers of the seven City Negro Schools, and instructs them in basket-ball, foot-ball and other games. These schools in the past have had no trained teachers for their physical exercise and music. Henry James, the Librarian, has visited and addressed many of the classes of the City Schools and many Negro churches in the County. Members of the staff from time to time visit and make talks at various churches and schools in the County and City.

Several Negro Educators have been kept from leaving this community by the Center during the year (Prof. Moore, Miss Wilkerson, Mr.Bates) A County Supervisor of Negro schools has been employed in Greenville County for the first time this year, largely through the efforts of the Center, assisted by Prof. Moore and Miss Wilkerson. The Center is assisting in various ways to establish the County Training School at St. Alban's, and its influence is strongly felt in educational matters affecting the whole County. The Colored Demonstration Agent has organizaed twenty or more clubs among the women and girls of the County. These club members manifest great earnestness in learning and interested in their clubs.

Publicity: Several circulars have been issued by the Center during the last two years. Articles have regularly appeared in the Negro County paper. Public addresses on the Center's work have been made in other cities.

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The Southern Workman published an illustrated article on the Center's work November 1925. This work has been brought o the attention of prominent workers for the Negro Race in personal interviews, and they have expressed much interest in it. Many colored visitors are coming from the County to see the Center and learn about its work, and a considerable number of white and colored visitors are coming from a distance for the same purpose.

The Greenville City Park Trustees have purchased a tract of 17 acres to be used as a park and playground and plan to purchase in other sections of the City an additional tract to be used for a like purpost. St. Luke's Hospital is operated by Negroes and at times has nine or more patients. There is also a Negro Ward in the City Hopsital. County Fair : In the fall of 1925 a new Negro Fair Association purchaged ground adjoining St. Alban's Training School. J. A. Tolbert is President of the Association. County Newspaper: The Southern Enterprise (Editor - C. C. Clarkson) has a circulation of approximately 2700 copies to Negroes and 200 copies to Whites. The Negro Hospital, County Fair and similar County and City acitivities are all helpfully influenced by the Center.

The P W Home: The building on McBee Ave, owned by the Association and formerly occupied by it as a Center, has been charged into a boarding house for women and girls. This work is experimental and has encountered various unexpected delays and difficulties in getting established. The home is equipped with none cots and has a small kitchen, sitting room and bath room. It furnishes bedlinen, lights and fueld and is supervised by a matron. The charges are $1.25 per week.

Note : ' Now- ' $2000 ' (1931) ' [typed in margin] entirely tax money [written in margin in pencil]

The Phillis Wheatley Branch of the Greenville Public Library was located in the old Center for two years. In January 1925, it moved to the new Center. Its Budget is $2500.00- ($1500.00) tax money, ($1,000.00 private contribution;) The furnishings cost approximately $300.00. The books at the time the Branch opened in the new Center had cost approximately $1,000.00. The Phillis Wheatley Branch has no official connection with the Phillis Wheatley Assoication. It rents its room in the Center for $50.00 per month, and this arrangement can be terminated at any time by either party.

The Branch loaned from January 1st to June 30, 1925, : 3,118 books but its biggest work is with the School children and those who use its reading room. This is the only Negro Free Public Library in South Carolina. (In 1925)

The Center's aim and activities are primarily educational, social and recreational. Its purpose is to do constructive and preventive work. The various clubs and classes at the Center do considerable charity work as clubs and classes, and when the call seems urgent, the officers of the Association undertake sucj [such] work also. Sick patients are gotten into the City Hospital and St. Luke's. Food, clothing and medicine are provided for needy persons, and visits are paid to the sick and sorrowful. The Center co-operates with the Bureau of Family Services.