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 Community College Library, Tallahassee, Florida.

Items

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Man at Podium

An undated photo of an unidentified white man in a suit speaking at the podium of an unknown location.
Crooms Academy School Portrait

A group photo of all students and faculty of Crooms Academy, taken outside the front steps. J. N. Crooms can be seen standing in the center of the front row, seated
Marching Band

An undated photo of a marching band, group unknown, parading in the street. Though unconfirmed, this photo was likely taken in Sanford, Florida.
Unidentified Building

An undated photo of an unidentified building.
Religious Service

An undated photo of an African American minister leading a religious service, while several men and women sit behind him onstage, at the Crooms Academy auditorium. J. N. Crooms is on stage to the left of the minister in a light colored suit.
Masonic Gathering

An undated photo of a large group of African American men, many in Masonic garb, at an unidentified construction site. J. N. Crooms is to the left in a light colored suit.
Graduation Photo, Unknown Class

A (damaged) photo of a large group of students in graduation regalia, class unknown, in front of an unidentified building. Given the age of the students, it seems likely that they are college graduates. At the front is J. N. Crooms
Masonic Gathering, Auditorium

An undated photo of a large group of African American men, many in Masonic garb, on stage at the Crooms Academy auditorium. J. N. Crooms is seated to the left in a light colored suit.
Masonic Gathering

An undated photo of a large group of African American men, many in Masonic garb, at an unidentified construction site. J. N. Crooms is to the left in a light colored suit.
Group Photo, Auditorium

An undated photo of African Americans on a stage at Crooms Academy, mostly young girls. Purpose unknown, but all are wearing dresses or tuxedos and a female in the center has been crowned.