CityView Magazine

14 September 2021 FAYETTEVILLE HISTORY Fayetteville's first schools BY WEEKS PARKER T he Donaldson Academy and Manual Labor School was among the many flourishing schools in Fayetteville in the early 1800s. e academy was on the corner of Hay Street and Hillside Avenue, the eventual location of the Haymount Grammar School. e academy opened its doors on Jan. 1, 1834, under the direction of a headmaster, the Rev. Simeon Cotton. A later principal of the academy was Professor Alexander Graham, founder of the public school system in Fayetteville. Mr. Graham was the father of Dr. Frank Graham, president of the University of North Carolina from 1931 through 1949. In 1867, Fayetteville State University, on Murchison Road, had its beginnings in the Howard School at 328 Gillespie St. which later became the site of a branch of the Cumberland County Public Library. In 1969, Fayetteville State College became a fully accredited university and changed its name to Fayetteville State University. In the late 1800s, the LaFayette Military Academy was established. is fine military school was located about 100 yards west of the post office building that later became the Frances Brooks Stein Memorial Library, and now the Arts Center at 301 Hay St. From the late 1800s until the early 1900s, there were many private schools in Fayetteville, including one on Dick Street in the home of two sisters, Miss Annie Ellison and Miss Maggie Ellison, who served as teachers. e students frequently referred to their school as the "A and M School" in honor of their teachers. e Mary Wright School was at 472 Ramsey St. in the home of steamboat captain John M. Wright, just a short distance from the Confederate Monument at the junction of Ramsey, Rowan, Green and Grove streets that was then known as Saint James Square. In the backyard of this school, there was a beautiful artesian pump. Children who attended Mrs. Wright's school enjoyed drinking the refreshing water from this pump, and people from all over town came to fill their buckets. In 1920, Fayetteville boasted one of the largest music schools in eastern North Carolina, the Fayetteville Conservatory of Music. Located in the Kyle House at 234 Green St., it featured three large studios containing grand upright pianos. e Fayetteville School of Music was founded in 1922 by Max W. Ast of Vienna, Austria. In June 1925, Mabelle New Williams, having served as director and manager of the school for one year, purchased the school. Under her management, the school grew steadily, There were many flourishing schools in Fayetteville in the early 1800s. Top row, the Donaldson Academy and Manual Labor School and the LaFayette Military Academy Bottom row, The A & M School, the Howard School (which would later become Fayetteville State University) and The Mary Wright School

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