By Don Lowe
Connecting the present to the past and helping ensure descendants understand the importance of keeping history alive today, yesterday and tomorrow is a key initiative of the Carver Birthplace Association (CBA) and its work to safeguard the landmark building where George Washington Carver received an education, known as the 1872 Neosho (Missouri) Colored School.
Lana Henry, who serves as president of the CBA board of directors, recognizes why it’s vital to not only preserve but strengthen our learnings from past events and says, “This school holds historical significance through the stories of its students.
“The school witnessed events like Reconstruction, the Freedmen’s Bureau (U.S. Government Agency that provided assistance to formerly enslaved people and impoverished whites following the Civil War), Jim Crow laws (enforced racial segregation) and events leading to Plessy versus Ferguson (1896 Supreme Court case that ruled racial segregation laws were constitutional).“Research to date shows that 118 students attended the school, and likely more than that. Of those, at least 27 were born enslaved, including George Washington Carver.”
“This is the only surviving school Carver attended, making it a rare historic jewel. Our aim is to restore the school as a place to continue educating and enriching the lives of future generations.”
Lana is grateful for monetary support that has helped make the restoration possible and says, “Having the opportunity to save this historic structure for future generations has been made possible thanks to the generosity and support of a host of champions.
“Financial backing has included private individuals, foundations a consortium of higher education institutions who backed the. project, private and federal historic preservation grant funding and a long line of CBA visionaries.
”Lana hopes many more people will join the cause. “We invite others to join CBA membership as we continue work toward developing the school as a tourist attraction that offers visitors an opportunity for a greater understanding of racially segregated education in Missouri and the significance of the school in connection toGeorge Washington Carver.
”As far as what has been done thus far in the renovation process, Lana says, “We were blessed to have HistoriCorps (non-profitorganization that engages volunteers to preserve historic places in the U.S.) team with CBA and remove the non-historic add-ons(2016).“By 2017, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Work was completed to stabilize the structure,with extensive work to the foundation. Next, we completed the exterior rehabilitation, as well as hazardous material abatement.
Now, we are in the final phase of the historic preservation work,the interior rehabilitation.“STRATA Architecture & Preservation in Kansas City, Missouri, is working to complete construction documents, and their firm will provide construction administration.
“The interior rehabilitation involves retaining a substantial amount of original architectural fabric. Plans call to accommodate modern amenities on a limited basis. All work will be done in accordance with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. We’re thrilled to see this last phase under way, and excited as we look toward a ribbon cutting by spring 2026.
”Along with Lana, influential individuals such as Dr. Gary Kremer, Kim Mailes and Dr. Luther S. Williams have also shared a strong passion for this revitalization and the monumental magnitude of it all.
Dr. Kremer, executive director of the State Historical Society of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, and Senior Fellow, Center for Missouri Studies, says, “This school is one of the few remaining in the state of Missouri that harkens back to the difficult immediate post-Civil War days of racially segregated education in our state.
“The school reminds us of the earliest beginnings of the remarkable public life of George Washington Carver. His formal education began in that small, segregated school in Missouri and paved the way to his remarkable career as one of this country’s most accomplished scientists of the 20th century.
Dr. Kremer, who authored “George Washington Carver: In His Own Words” and “George Washington Carver: A Biography,” knows this is a big deal, and he says, “I’m thrilled at the prospect that current and future generations will be able to visit and explore the place where Carver’s distinguished career began.
”Having devoted hundreds of pro-bono hours toward the 1872 Neosho Colored School restoration and currently serving as CBA project manager, Kim Mailes remains as committed as ever to see this work completed. He says, “This is an extremely vital project to preserve a crucial milestone in the life of George Washington Carver and scores of other newly freed enslaved people.
“In that little classroom, they took the important first step through what Carver called the Golden Door of Freedom – the chance to receive an education and take their place in society. Dozens of key players have worked tirelessly to bring this project to the finish line, and now the story can be told to generations to come.
”Dr. Luther S. Williams, past provost of Tuskegee Institute/Alabama and previous CBA Chair, concurs with Dr. Kremer and Kim. “I strongly applaud the substantive efforts and notable progress of the Carver Birthplace Association in affecting a full rehabilitation of the 1872 Neosho Colored School, at which Dr. Carver initiated his daunting and exceedingly challenging journey in pursuit of an education.
“The rehabilitated schoolhouse will stand as a surviving, revered, rare and instructive example of the much-constrained educational and human development options available to the Reconstruction era African American youth, a circumstance whose lingering impacts remain understated and under appreciated, even today.
”Much like Dr. Kremer, Kim Mailes and Dr. Williams, Lana Henry realizes the impact of this undertaking, and she says, “It is a real privilege for me to be involved in this project, following a 40-year career at George Washington Carver National Monument.
“I am so honored to work with fellow board members, the national monument and the community, as we continue to preserve history and perpetuate George Washington Carver’s legacy.”
1872 Neosho Colored School Restoration Fast Facts
Carver Birthplace Association (CBA) and George Washington National Monument Collaboration Effort
•Establishedin1943 and the first National Park to honor an African American, this is a partnership to preserve the legacy of George Washington Carver.
•CBA serves as the cooperating association for the park, managing the gift shop and working to advance the historical, scientific, educational and interpretive programs for the park.
•CBA provides annual scholarships to honor Dr. Carver’s legacy, supports park programming and is working to rehabilitate the 1872 Neosho Colored Schoolhouse (owned by CBA).Grant Funding Received for Final Phase of Construction Project
•National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded an African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Grant in the amount of $70,000.
•Missouri DNR, State Historic Preservation Office, awarded a Pre-Construction Grant in the amount of $38,080.
•National Park Service awarded an African American Civil Rights Grant in the amount of $239,391.
•Arvest Foundation awarded a grant in the amount of $10,000.
•Various individuals have provided monetary donations.Carver Birthplace Association Board of Directors
•Denna Clymer, Ph.D. (Neosho, Missouri)
•Michele Hansford (Carthage,Missouri)
•Lana Henry,President (Neosho, Missouri)
•Blake Hierholzer, Treasurer (Neosho, Missouri)
•Nanda Nunnelly (Neosho, Missouri)
•Jimmy Sexton,Vice President (Neosho, Missouri)
•Judy Stiles, Secretary (Joplin, Missouri)•Eric Wells( Kansas City,Missouri)
•Ed Williamson,Ph.D.(Houston,Missouri)
•Andrew Wood (Neosho, Missouri) Note: Charles Nodler (Neosho, Missouri) retired from the board last year, but he remains an active proponent and involved in this work. CBA email address: [email protected]