Brainerd Institute

{{Short description|School for Blacks in Chester, South Carolina}} {{Use American English|date=April 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}{{Infobox school | name = Brainerd Institute | image = Brainerd Institute.jpg | caption = The school c. 1910 | location = Chester, South Carolina | country = United States | established = {{Start date|1868}} | closed = {{End date|1939}} }} '''Brainerd Institute''' was a school for African Americans in Chester, South Carolina.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/chester/S10817712013/index.htm|title=SCDAH|website=www.nationalregister.sc.gov}}</ref> It was founded by the Presbyterian Church and opened in 1868. Alumni include Vivian Ayers Allen<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://brainerdinstituteheritage.com/about/|title=About}}</ref> and Daniel Jackson Sanders. Originally an elementary school it served 10 grades by 1913.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discoversouthcarolina.com/products/26696|title=Brainerd Institute|website=discoversouthcarolina.com}}</ref> It expanded to include '''Brainerd Junior College''', a teacher training program, in 1934. It closed in 1939 as competition from public schools increased.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/brainerd-institute/|title=Brainerd Institute}}</ref>

Originally established with support from the Freedmen's Bureau, the school was later sponsored by the Presbyterian Church.

[[File:Kumler Hall - Chester, SC.jpg|thumb|Kumler Hall]] The only remaining building from the school's 18 acre campus is Kumler Hall. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="auto"/>

The University of South Carolina Libraries have a collection of photographs related to the school.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Chester, S.C.: Brainerd Institute|first1=George Valentine|last1=Hennies|first2=Sally|last2=Kennedy|first3=C. E|last3=Lightner|first4=N.C.)|last4=Carolina Studio (Charlotte|date=March 2, 1888|oclc=80764644 }}</ref>

It was preceded by Fairfield Institute run by Willard Richardson in Winnsboro, South Carolina.

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category-inline|Brainerd Institute}}{{authority control}}

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