As I walked through the halls of what seemed to be the Ancient Bradley Academy, an old school that had begun as a white’s only school and had famous graduates such as President James K. Polk and Senator John Bell, I couldn’t help but be amazed at the old Civil War artifacts that had been collected as well as some of the displays that had been set up. Although Bradley Academy was initially a school for rich, higher class, white men, it later opened its doors to the Black community becoming one of the first African American schools. As I learned Bradley Academy provided a top of the line education for 24 dollars a session and some firewood, and there was only one teacher to teach all the core subjects and some. Finally in 1884 the academy was turned into a public school for African Americans with only three teachers and roughly one-hundred and fifty students. Six years later the school was forced to expand as its community grew to two- hundred and fifty students.
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A couple years later in 1928 Holloway High school was opened, Bradley Academy was then turned into an elementary school. Not only did the museum depict the school, it showed some of my favorite exhibits about slaves, as well as showed old bullets found from battles such as the Stones river battle and showed the way of life in the 1800’s. Some might wonder, “What is the meaning behind this site”, why is it considered a monument and why is it still being protected today? Bradley Academy is full of cool artifacts and helpful information, back in the day Bradley Academy opened its doors before Murfreesboro even had a courthouse. Bradley Academy was named after one of the Revolutionary officers, John Bradley, who donated the log cabin in Jefferson that was known as the “original Bradley Academy”. Not only did the museum highlight the Bradley Academy it also had much to tell about the Female Academy (1825), Union University (1834) and Soule College (1851). The site also mentioned James K. Polk as one of Bradley’s most famous students. The school helped make Polk the man he was sending him through top of the line curriculum at the time and preparing him for his time at University of North Carolina. Which led him to return to Tennessee and take interest in politics leading him to a position as President. Ironically the man that ran against Polk in his election also attended Bradley, Senator John Bell. In the late 1820’s the brick version of Bradley was built and it played an important role in hosting some of Union Universities’ classes as well as acting as a hospital during a smallpox outbreak during the Battle of Stones …show more content…
Education played an important role before and after the Civil War. The argument behind it was that everyone should have an education regardless of the color of their skin. Why did African Americans have to live in the poor neighborhoods, have horrible learning institutions, and have almost nothing to live off of? Why was it seen as such a threat that an educated black man could take over the world? The museum showed how Jim Crow laws had taken effect over the South but the students of Bradley wouldn’t let that stop them from getting the best education possible. They continued to advance throughout society with nothing holding them
A couple years later in 1928 Holloway High school was opened, Bradley Academy was then turned into an elementary school. Not only did the museum depict the school, it showed some of my favorite exhibits about slaves, as well as showed old bullets found from battles such as the Stones river battle and showed the way of life in the 1800’s. Some might wonder, “What is the meaning behind this site”, why is it considered a monument and why is it still being protected today? Bradley Academy is full of cool artifacts and helpful information, back in the day Bradley Academy opened its doors before Murfreesboro even had a courthouse. Bradley Academy was named after one of the Revolutionary officers, John Bradley, who donated the log cabin in Jefferson that was known as the “original Bradley Academy”. Not only did the museum highlight the Bradley Academy it also had much to tell about the Female Academy (1825), Union University (1834) and Soule College (1851). The site also mentioned James K. Polk as one of Bradley’s most famous students. The school helped make Polk the man he was sending him through top of the line curriculum at the time and preparing him for his time at University of North Carolina. Which led him to return to Tennessee and take interest in politics leading him to a position as President. Ironically the man that ran against Polk in his election also attended Bradley, Senator John Bell. In the late 1820’s the brick version of Bradley was built and it played an important role in hosting some of Union Universities’ classes as well as acting as a hospital during a smallpox outbreak during the Battle of Stones …show more content…
Education played an important role before and after the Civil War. The argument behind it was that everyone should have an education regardless of the color of their skin. Why did African Americans have to live in the poor neighborhoods, have horrible learning institutions, and have almost nothing to live off of? Why was it seen as such a threat that an educated black man could take over the world? The museum showed how Jim Crow laws had taken effect over the South but the students of Bradley wouldn’t let that stop them from getting the best education possible. They continued to advance throughout society with nothing holding them