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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Parade and Soldiers

A photo of what appears to be a parade in progress, location and date unknown but it is likely taking place in Sanford, Florida. In the foreground are a group of several young African American men in what appears to be military uniform, all of whom are carrying rifles. The parade continues behind them.
Parade and Color Guard

A photo of what appears to be a parade in progress, location and date unknown but, it is likely Sanford, Florida. In the foreground there is a baton twirler and behind her are several young African American men marching as a color guard. Several of them appear to be in uniform and two are carrying rifles. Photo developer's information on the back
Crooms Academy Girls Basketball Team

A group photo of African American girls, presumably the Crooms Academy girls basketball team. On the margins of the photo, several identifying names are written in pen. Out of the sixteen pictured, the photo seems to identify ten of them, including the team coach.
Students and Parents

A photo of a large group of African Americans, including children. Though location is unconfirmed, it seems likely this is a photo of many of Crooms Academy students and their families, getting ready to attend a school event. The photo developer's information is on the back
Crooms Academy, Graduation Photo

A group photo of young African American students in graduation regalia. Location is unconfirmed, but it is likely this is Crooms Academy. Crooms can be found on the lower right.
Crooms Academy, Graduation Photo, Class of 1949

A group photo of young African American men and women in graduation regalia. Location is unconfirmed, but it is likely this is Crooms Academy. Crooms can be found on the lower left.
Crooms Academy, Graduation Photo

A group photo of several young African American men and women in graduation regalia. Location and date is unconfirmed, but it is likely this is Crooms Academy. Crooms can be found on the bottom left. The photo developer's information is on the back.
Crooms Academy, Graduation Photo with J. N. Crooms

A group photo of several young African American men and women in graduation regalia. Location and date is unconfirmed, but it is likely this is Crooms Academy. J. N. Crooms is seated in the front row.
Family Photo with J. N. Crooms

An undated photo outside a home, of J. N. Crooms and several young African American boys and girls. The boys and girls seem to be holding graduation diplomas, but given Crooms' large adopted family, this is possibly a photo of Crooms' own family.
Class Photo, Unknown Grade

While location and date are unknown, this appears to be a class photo of Hopper Academy, with J. N. Crooms standing to the right.