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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Letter from "Ora Mae Altemese Jones" to J. N. Crooms, May 3, 1943

A letter from an "Ora [sic, possibly Ana] Mae Altemese Jones" to J. N. Crooms. Jones writes to Crooms about the attendance of her sister, Elizabeth Jones, who she worries has been skipping school.
Letter from David Brewer to J. N. Crooms, February 5, 1943

A letter from a Devid Brewer to J. N. Crooms, written on Hopper Academy letterhead. Brewer appears to be a member of the faculty at Hopper, as Crooms by this point had moved to Crooms Academy. In it, Brewer expresses his thanks to Crooms and discusses personal news.
Letter from Aldonia M. Hill to J. W. Lawton, September 27, 1941

A letter from Aldonia M. Hill to J. W. Lawton, the superintendent of Public Instruction of Seminole County. In it Hill asks to be released as a math teacher from Crooms Academy to accept a position offered in Duval county.
Letter from Elizabeth J. Brewer to J. N. Crooms, October 17, 1942

A letter and accompanying envelope from an Elizabeth J. Brewer, a former student, to J. N. Crooms. Brewer discusses her studies at FAMC, and expresses her gratitude both to Joseph Nathaniel as well as Wealthy Crooms.
Letter from Benjamin F. Canty, Jr. to J. N. Crooms, April 29, 1935

A letter and accompanying envelope from a Benjamin F. Canty Jr., seemingly a current student, to the principal and faculty of Crooms academy. In it, Canty Jr. expresses his gratitude and his plans to pursue a career in law.
Letter from F. B. Reid to J. N. Crooms, April 6, 1931

A letter from a "Miss F. B. Reid" to J. N. Crooms discussing donation collections.
Letter from Wealthy Crooms to J. N. Crooms, July 6, 1930

A letter from Wealthy Crooms to her husband Joseph Nathaniel, who at the moment was visiting FAMC, on the day of their nineteenth wedding anniversary, thus confirming the two were wed on 6 July, 1911. In the letter, Wealthy discusses personal news and events relating to Crooms Academy.
Agreement Between Byron S. Stephens and Crooms Academy

A handwritten contract between Byron S. Stephens and Crooms Academy, stipulating the terms by which Stephens will do contracting work for the school. The original contract is dated March 17, 1927, but on the bottom of the page are several additional notes dated weeks later recording which services have been paid and received.
Letter from J. N. Crooms to Wealthy Crooms, August 25, 1925

A letter from J. N. Crooms to his wife Wealthy discussing his stay in Los Angeles and his imminent return.
Letter from J. N. Crooms to Wealthy M. Richardson, June 11, 1911

A letter from J. N. Crooms to Wealthy M. Richardson. In it Crooms relays his excitement for their upcoming marriage.