Between a nationwide financial crisis, a world war, racial and social injustices, and segregation, life was very different in the early part of the 20th century. All of these changes, whether directly or indirectly, affected the educational system, making schools of the past completely different than what we’re used to today. From one-room schoolhouses to class portraits of yesteryear, these photos depict just how much Mississippi schools have changed over the years.
- The 1909 graduating class of Gloster High School poses for a photo.
Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History At this time, the average school year in Mississippi was 114 days.
- The Gloster High School football team in 1945.
Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History In the 1940s, “2-platoon football” was a common version of the popular sport, which required only 11 players a team.
- Taken in 1939, this photo shows the interior of the school on Mileston Plantation in the Delta.
Library of Congress LC-USF34- 052285-D Because many of the students worked picking cotton, school began very late in the year and had low attendance until December.
- Another plantation schoolhouse in the Delta, circa 1937.
Library of Congress LC-USF34- 017520-E This same year, the Farm Security Administration was established and began widespread assistance efforts to African American farmers, making it possible for them to purchase farms.
- This community building at the Delta cooperative farm Hillhouse houses the school in addition to the library, clinic, and meeting rooms, circa 1937.
Photo Credit The first cooperative farm was established in Bolivar County in 1936. Cooperative farms, which would eventually belong to the workers, allowed farmers to share in the profits and produce of the farm in relation to their labor.
- Teacher Ida Boyd poses with her class in 1915 at Hancock County’s Dead Tiger School.
Jody Janelle Mitchell Watkins via Pearl River County Historical Society/Facebook The students in this photo are still trying to be identified. Recognize anyone? Click here.
- Students utilize the library at Tupelo’s Lee County Training School in 1936.
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Public Domain That same year, the school was partially damaged by a tornado.
- This picture of St. Paul’s Parochial School was taken in 1916.
Library of Congress LC-DIG-nclc-01033 A majority of children didn’t attend school during the day because they had to work. Several children would only come to the school for one hour at night for religious instruction.
- The 1911 class of a private school in Winona.
Library of Congress LC-DIG-nclc-02118 For several years, the school was run by Miss McIntosh, who charged students one dollar a month. Students’ ages ranged from six to ten, with many heading to work at the nearby cotton mills by the age of 12.
- Taken in 1956, this is the interior of Wilson Elementary School in Clay County.
Image Editor/Flickr Although taken several years after desegregation began, many schools remained segregated well into the 1960s.
- Taken in May of 1936, a group of student aid recipients at the Lee County Training School pose for a photo.
5241(36)/Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum The school was backed by the National Youth Administration - an agency that sought to provide work and educational opportunities for young Americans.
Have your own story about school in Mississippi during this time? We want to hear it! Tell us in the comments section below.
Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History
At this time, the average school year in Mississippi was 114 days.
In the 1940s, “2-platoon football” was a common version of the popular sport, which required only 11 players a team.
Library of Congress LC-USF34- 052285-D
Because many of the students worked picking cotton, school began very late in the year and had low attendance until December.
Library of Congress LC-USF34- 017520-E
This same year, the Farm Security Administration was established and began widespread assistance efforts to African American farmers, making it possible for them to purchase farms.
Photo Credit
The first cooperative farm was established in Bolivar County in 1936. Cooperative farms, which would eventually belong to the workers, allowed farmers to share in the profits and produce of the farm in relation to their labor.
Jody Janelle Mitchell Watkins via Pearl River County Historical Society/Facebook
The students in this photo are still trying to be identified. Recognize anyone? Click here.
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Public Domain
That same year, the school was partially damaged by a tornado.
Library of Congress LC-DIG-nclc-01033
A majority of children didn’t attend school during the day because they had to work. Several children would only come to the school for one hour at night for religious instruction.
Library of Congress LC-DIG-nclc-02118
For several years, the school was run by Miss McIntosh, who charged students one dollar a month. Students’ ages ranged from six to ten, with many heading to work at the nearby cotton mills by the age of 12.
Image Editor/Flickr
Although taken several years after desegregation began, many schools remained segregated well into the 1960s.
5241(36)/Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
The school was backed by the National Youth Administration - an agency that sought to provide work and educational opportunities for young Americans.
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