Voorhees College Historic District
Encyclopedia
The Voorhees College Historic District is a historic district
encompassing the campus of Voorhees College
in Denmark
, South Carolina. Thirteen of the nineteen buildings are contributing properties.
Voorhees College was started by Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
as the Denmark Industrial School, modeled on the Tuskegee Institute, which Wright had attended. She kept close ties with her mentor, Booker T. Washington
. The school was a late 19th century effort to provide education to underserved black children in a rural area. As the school matured, it became a normal school and eventually a four-year accredited college.
The architectural and historical significance of this district is that it represents sophisticated styles for an African-American college in the early twentieth century. Many of these buildings were constructed by its students. In addition, the college was a pioneer in African-American education and associated with the notable educator and founder, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
. Photographs of some of the buildings are available.
On January 21, 1982, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
Of 13 contributing properties, several have significant architectural or historic importance:
Historic district
A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries, historic districts receive legal protection from development....
encompassing the campus of Voorhees College
Voorhees College
Voorhees College is a private, historically black college in Denmark, South Carolina. It is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Voorhees College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
in Denmark
Denmark, South Carolina
Denmark is a city in Bamberg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,934 at the 2009 census.-Geography:Denmark is located at .According to the...
, South Carolina. Thirteen of the nineteen buildings are contributing properties.
Voorhees College was started by Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright founded Denmark Industrial Institute in Denmark, South Carolina, as a school for African-American youth. It is present-day Voorhees College, a historically black college...
as the Denmark Industrial School, modeled on the Tuskegee Institute, which Wright had attended. She kept close ties with her mentor, Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African-American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915...
. The school was a late 19th century effort to provide education to underserved black children in a rural area. As the school matured, it became a normal school and eventually a four-year accredited college.
The architectural and historical significance of this district is that it represents sophisticated styles for an African-American college in the early twentieth century. Many of these buildings were constructed by its students. In addition, the college was a pioneer in African-American education and associated with the notable educator and founder, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright founded Denmark Industrial Institute in Denmark, South Carolina, as a school for African-American youth. It is present-day Voorhees College, a historically black college...
. Photographs of some of the buildings are available.
On January 21, 1982, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Of 13 contributing properties, several have significant architectural or historic importance:
- Booker T. WashingtonBooker T. WashingtonBooker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African-American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915...
Hall: A brick building built in 1905 as a hospital. - Blanton Hall: A 2½ story brick building built in 1914 as an administration building. It now houses faculty, administrative staff, and classrooms.
- Menafee Trades Building: A 2-story brick building built in 1907 from a gift from Ralph Voorhees as the Boys Trade building. It was named for Martin Menafee, the college treasurer and husband of founder Elizabeth Wright.
- St. Philip's Episcopal Chapel: a brick chapel built in 1935.
- Grave site and tombstone of Elizabeth Evelyn WrightElizabeth Evelyn WrightElizabeth Evelyn Wright founded Denmark Industrial Institute in Denmark, South Carolina, as a school for African-American youth. It is present-day Voorhees College, a historically black college...
. - Bedford Hall: a brick building built in 1912 that was named for R.C. Bedford, a member of the first Board of Trustees and aide to Booker T. WashingtonBooker T. WashingtonBooker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African-American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915...
.