- January 17, 2011, the Accomack County Board of Supervisors donated the building to the newly established Mary N. Smith Alumni Association
- March 29, 2011, the Mary N. Smith Alumni Association, Inc became incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization
- May 2, 2012, the Mary N. Smith Alumni Association, Inc received approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals for a Special Use Permit authorizing the use of the building as a recreation and community center
- The dream lives on. . .
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Moving Forward
Keeping the Dream Alive
The alumni of Mary N. Smith have always felt a sense of pride, loyalty and affection for their "Dear Smith High."
The mission of those who built the two secondary schools was to ensure that all children of Accomack County had an equal opportunity to obtain a quality education. In the spirit of this mission, the 35-70 Mary N. Smith Alumni Association, Inc. (Alumni Association) was established to foster the pursuit of a higher education by providing scholarships to children of Accomack County. This has continued for more than 20 years.
Due to the closing of the school, the Alumni Association's new dream focused on:
1) maintaining the legacy of the late Mrs. Mary Nottingham Smith
2) continuing the award of scholarships
3) maintaining the integrity of the building
4) converting the building to a cultural enrichment and educational community center for use by all citizens of Accomack County
Under the leadership of President, Marcie White and Vice President Berran Rogers, the Alumni Association met and planned how to make their dream a reality. On numerous occasions presentations were made to the Accomack County School Board and the Accomack County Board of Supervisors. The turning point came when it became public knowledge that a private company wanted to purchase the building and construct low income housing on the property. As a result, residents of the immediate community, Alumni Association members and Kelvin Pettit (an alumnus) detailed a plan to keep the dream alive.
The mission of those who built the two secondary schools was to ensure that all children of Accomack County had an equal opportunity to obtain a quality education. In the spirit of this mission, the 35-70 Mary N. Smith Alumni Association, Inc. (Alumni Association) was established to foster the pursuit of a higher education by providing scholarships to children of Accomack County. This has continued for more than 20 years.
Due to the closing of the school, the Alumni Association's new dream focused on:
1) maintaining the legacy of the late Mrs. Mary Nottingham Smith
2) continuing the award of scholarships
3) maintaining the integrity of the building
4) converting the building to a cultural enrichment and educational community center for use by all citizens of Accomack County
Under the leadership of President, Marcie White and Vice President Berran Rogers, the Alumni Association met and planned how to make their dream a reality. On numerous occasions presentations were made to the Accomack County School Board and the Accomack County Board of Supervisors. The turning point came when it became public knowledge that a private company wanted to purchase the building and construct low income housing on the property. As a result, residents of the immediate community, Alumni Association members and Kelvin Pettit (an alumnus) detailed a plan to keep the dream alive.
Brief History
In 1931, J. Edgar Thomas, Susie Wharton Thomas and William H. Bailey sold a lot in the town of Accomac containing 0.842 of an acre to the trustees of the Accomack County Colored High School Association for $750. The trustees, Reverend R, C. Hughes, W. J. Laws, R. H. Hall, G. W. Downing, Mary N. Smith, C. H. Ewell and Alma Parker purchased the property and in 1932 built the first secondary school for the black children of Accomack County. The first class graduated in 1935. This school was named for Mrs. Mary Nottingham Smith (1892-1951), a trustee of the school and a person well known on the Eastern Shore. Born in Northampton County, Smith had worked in the Accomack County school system since 1921 as Jeanes Educational Supervisor.
The Jeanes Foundation (also known as the Negro Rural School Fund) was founded by a Quaker, Anna T. Jeanes, to improve vocational training programs for teachers of black students. In 1953, a larger high school, also named Mary Nottingham Smith, was built on another site. In 1956, the first school was renamed T. C. Walker Elementary School, after an African American attorney from Gloucester County. This building was demolished in 1987. A historical marker has been erected at that site.
As part of integration, the new school was renamed Mary Nottingham Smith Middle School in 1970 and remained active in this role until 2004.
Source: excerpts from The Virginia African American Hertiage Program
The Jeanes Foundation (also known as the Negro Rural School Fund) was founded by a Quaker, Anna T. Jeanes, to improve vocational training programs for teachers of black students. In 1953, a larger high school, also named Mary Nottingham Smith, was built on another site. In 1956, the first school was renamed T. C. Walker Elementary School, after an African American attorney from Gloucester County. This building was demolished in 1987. A historical marker has been erected at that site.
As part of integration, the new school was renamed Mary Nottingham Smith Middle School in 1970 and remained active in this role until 2004.
Source: excerpts from The Virginia African American Hertiage Program
Upcoming Events
Save These Dates. . .
Saturday, November 9th Becky Livas Jazz Trio In Concert
7pm until 10 pm $10 (Must Be Age 21)
Friday, December 6th Open House/Tour
6pm to 8pm Free
Tuesday, December 31st New Year's Eve Celebration
9pm until 1:00am $20 (Must Be Age 21)
Contact Evelyn at 757-665-1424 or Betty at 757-665-4010 for more information.
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