Draft:Bernard School

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Bernard School
Location
Bernard Drive,
McMinnville, Tennessee, U.S.
35°40′45″N 85°45′57″W / 35.679251°N 85.765817°W / 35.679251; -85.765817
Information
Other nameBernard High School
Established1922
Closed1966

Bernard School was a Rosenwald school for Black students, active from 1922 until 1966 in McMinnville, Warren County, Tennessee. A historical marker commemorates the school's history.[1] It was also known as the Bernard High School.[2]

History

Bernard School was built in 1922 with money from the Rosenwald Fund. It was named for Rosenwald agent for Tennessee O. (Ollie) H. Bernard.[1] The land for the school was donated by local stonemason, Sam Leftwich.[3] It was located on Bernard Drive, on the east side of McMinnville.[4] A library was built in 1927, following a donation from W. H. Hagness.[5]

In 1946, the school burned down.[6] It was rebuilt a year later in 1947.[1] A gymnasium and field house were added in 1954, at a cost of US$40,000.[7]

It closed following school integration in 1965–1966 school year, and the building was used for administrative offices, and later used for Head Start.[8] Demolished in 1982, the site was used for brush disposal.[8][9]

Legacy

The school gymnasium is the only surviving building, and since 2019 it has housed the Young Men United, a youth mentorship program.[3][10] The Bernard School centennial and homecoming was celebrated in 2022.[11]

The Magness Public Library in McMinnville held an exhibit “Building a Bright Future: Black Communities & Rosenwald Schools in Tennessee” (2025) on Rosenwald schools, and included the Bernard School.[12]

The Black History Museum of Warren County has a collection of items from the Bernard School.[1][13]

Alumni

See also

References

  1. Zepp, Louise. "The Black History Museum of Warren County: Preserving the Past two Educate Future Generations". The Tennessee Conservationist. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  2. "African-American High Schools Now Long Gone". The Tennessee Magazine. February 2, 2020. Archived from the original on July 9, 2025. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  3. "Gwyn speaks on Black history in Warren County". Southern Standard. February 3, 2023. pp. A8. Retrieved March 30, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Soul of Warren County Bernard School, The Building" (video). February 21, 2023 – via YouTube.
  5. "School Gets Library". The Chicago Defender. June 4, 1927. p. 23. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "M'Minnville Fire Destroys School". Chattanooga Daily Times. August 18, 1946. p. 7. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "McMinnville". The Chicago Defender. January 30, 1954. p. 16. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Master Plan: The Cultural Center at Bernard School" (PDF). City of McMinnville, Tennessee. June 13, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  9. "The Story of the Bernard Community Center". Bernard Community Center. January 23, 2025.
  10. Hobbs, Lisa (October 2, 2019). "Young Men United Secures Bernard School Lease For $1". Southern Standard. pp. A5. Retrieved March 30, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Hobbs, Lisa (April 24, 2022). "Bernard School's Centennial Celebration set for May 27-29". Southern Standard. pp. B7. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Bernard School Rosenwald History Exhibit". Humanities Tennessee (Tennessee Humanities Council). February 1, 2025.
  13. Havenner, Nathan (March 25, 2026). "Black History Museum working to educate, preserve history". Manchester TImes. Retrieved March 30, 2026.