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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The Sanford Herald, issue of April 3, 1942

An incomplete issue of the Sanford Herald, mostly detailing news about conflicts around the globe. However, on the bottom of the front page is an article describing how J. N. Crooms has been named principal of Crooms Academy for the '42-'43 term. In addition, it is reported that Crooms has submitted a plan for the construction of a building to house the national defense training classes, which had been crowding the Academy's space.
The Afro-American Florida Edition, issue of August 13, 1949

An incomplete issue of The Afro-American newspaper, including a page titled, "Florida Edition." Included in this section are many articles about FAMU, Orlando, and Miami.
The Sanford Herald, issue of November 11, 1949

Page eight from the issue of the Sanford Herald from November 11, 1949. On the top left is a small blurb celebrating the now complete Crooms Academy Library, accompanied by a picture of the building
How To Dance The Virginia Reel

A clipping from the Jacksonville Journal detailing step-by-step how to dance the "Virginia Reel," adapted from a book by Henry Ford and his wife on "Old-Time Dances"
The Sanford Herald, issue of March 3, 1949

The complete issue of the Sanford Herald for March 3, 1949. On the bottom left of the first page is an article describing how the State School Architect for Florida, J. E. Garland, has approved plans for the construction of the Crooms Academy Library.
The Sanford Herald, issue of February 4, 1949

The complete issue of the Sanford Herald for February 4, 1949. On the top left of the first page is an article describing how $44,750 has been approved by the State School Board and the Seminole County Board of Public Instruction. $25,000 of those funds were earmarked for the construction of a library for Crooms Academy.
County School Board Appoints Principals, Teachers for '49-'50

An incomplete clipping from the Sanford Herald announcing the decisions of the Seminole County School Board regarding appointments for the 1949-1950 term
Negro Woodmen Begin Convention

An undated, damaged, clipping announcing a district convention of the American Woodmen, an African American fraternal organization which merged with a larger group, Woodmen of the World, in 1994. Among those in attendance are J. N. "Croons" and wife
Booker T. Washington Tribute Meeting

An undated clipping announcing a service held in tribute of Booker T. Washington, held at the Bethel Baptist Institutional Church in Jacksonville
Dade Negro Golf Course Rule Attacked

An undated clipping describing the attempts of Joseph Rice, an African American man, to play golf at the Miami Springs Golf and Country Club. When he was not allowed, Rice retained two lawyers and sued the club. This would become the case Rice v. Arnold. The Florida Supreme Court upheld the club's right to maintain segregated dates (African Americans could play on Mondays), despite being urged to reconsider by the U.S. Supreme Court