Crooms Collection

Item set

Title

Crooms Collection

Description

The Joseph Nathaniel Crooms Papers consist of documents related to Crooms Academy named for J.N. Crooms, whose parents were slaves on a Tallahassee area plantation, and who, along with his wife, Wealthy Mabel Crooms, started the school Crooms Academy and were its first principal and assistant principal respectively. The Crooms Academy began operation in 1920 and until 1970, the Crooms Academy during the same time Bethune Academy was established. Mr. Crooms worked with Mary McLeod Bethune as members of the Welricha Corp., which owned a beach front motel and restaurant on Bethune-Volusia Beach, as well as the Florida Negro Teachers Association. By the advent of his death, Mr. Crooms was considered a pioneer for black education in the state of Florida.

Physical Location

Crooms Collection, John G. Riley House Archives, Tallahassee State Collegee Library, Tallahassee, Florida.

Items

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Miss Crooms Academy Contest Donations

A document titled "Miss Crooms Academy Contest" that appears to record various donations, the purpose of which is unclear.
From Curriculum of Modern Education by Franklin Boffett: The Good Life

A handwritten transcription of an article called "The Good Life" by Franklin Boffett, seemingly in a journal called Curriculum of Modern Education.
Letter from J. N. Crooms, May 9, 1926

A letter by J. N. Crooms for posterity, recounting his career as a teacher at Hopper and looking forward to working at Crooms Academy.
Poem Written by Professor Bronson

As per the notes on the page, this was a poem written by a professor Bronson on the occasion of J. N. Crooms visit to Hopper Academy.
Opening Remarks Rendered on Class Day by Victoria Olivia Jackson

Several pages of notes recounting the opening remarks on "class day" by Victoria Olivia Jackson, who appears to be a student, presumably of Hopper Academy.
Band Seating Chart

A paper titled "Crooms Academy Band Personal [sic]" that seems to be a seating chart for a band. Included are names, instrument section, and notes about new additions
Letter from Genena N. Harris to "Mr. Zeiger"

A letter from Geneva Harris to a "Mr. Zeiger" with a donation to help with the "Annual Christmas Bazaar".
Letter to Rt. Rev. M. Salters

A letter from an unstated writer (possibly J. N. Crooms but unconfirmed) to a reverend M. Salters on Hopper Academy letterhead. The letter discusses an upcoming meeting of Florida pastors, superintendents, teachers, and scholars in Sanford.
Envelope and Letter of Bond for Crooms Academy

An undated envelope on which a letter is written with little identifying information. The unknown correspondent appears to be writing to J. N. Crooms presenting a $50 bond from the teacher Mrs. L. W. Simms "and the girls of the Home Economics Department" for renovations to Crooms Academy, but it is unclear if these are from Crooms Academy faculty/students themselves.
Letter from Joseph C. Bratcher to J. N. Crooms

A letter from Joseph C. Bratcher, the father of student Joseph Cleveland Bratcher, to J. N. Crooms concerning details relating to his son's graduation.