MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Younger, Barnett, Boyd, Chassaniol, Chism, Horhn, McMahan, Turner-Ford, Williams, Jackson (32nd), Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF FRANKLIN ACADEMY IN COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, AND ACKNOWLEDGING ITS HISTORY AS THE FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL IN MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, we join the citizens of Columbus, Mississippi, and the students, faculty and alumni of Franklin Academy, the first public school in Mississippi, on the occasion of its Bicentennial Celebration on February 12, 2021; and
WHEREAS, education has been so closely connected with the location and origin of the City of Columbus, it is logical and appropriate to give to its schools, colleges, and newspapers the first mention in the special department of her history; and
WHEREAS, Franklin Academy, in Columbus, Mississippi, chartered in 1821, was the first public school in Mississippi, which gained statehood in 1817. The third school building was completed in 1886. Its predecessors included a frame structure with dimensions of 30 x 40 feet and then two brick structures divided between male and female departments. Following the Civil War, the school was occupied as a barracks and campground by United States soldiers. The building was designated an elementary school in 1918 and replaced by the current brick structure; and
WHEREAS, all the histories agree that the first Franklin Academy school building was a frame building, unceiled or unplastered, glass windows in front and long open windows with shutters in the rear, and covered first with boards and afterwards with shingles. The first two teachers were Mr. Lawrence in 1828 and Reverend David Wright, Principal, in 1832. Mr. Jefferson Humphries was a teacher in 1835. In 1835, two new brick buildings were erected as the male and female departments of Franklin Academy. Each of the buildings was two stories high, containing two rooms above for the assistant teachers and one large room below for the use of the principal. They were well built of hard brick and continued in constant use for fifty-two years. The first principal of the male department who occupied the new building in 1836 was Mr. Abram Maer, a Scottish gentleman and an Episcopal minister. The school books used in 1840 were Webster's "Blue Back" Speller, Eclectic Readers, Olney's Geography, Kirkham's Grammar, Smiley's Arithmetic, Grimshaw's History of the United States, and Comstock's Philosophy; and
WHEREAS, the present-day Franklin Academy Elementary School was constructed on the site of the state's oldest public school, Franklin Academy. Public Works Administration, as part of the New Deal of 1933, approved a grant of $117,000.00 on September 26, 1938. Construction began December 1, 1938, and was completed December 1, 1939, for a total cost of $260,154.00. Architect R.W. Naef designed the 2-1/2 story brick Colonial Revival building. The building featured a "two-story pedimented portico supported on continuous Tuscan columns, rusticated brick quoins, and square central tower with octagonal cupola." The building remains in use as a school; and
WHEREAS, students will mark the anniversary with a reading of the school's history and choral selections. Students also will sing "Happy Birthday" to their school, before a massive cake will be cut in honor of the anniversary. On display at the celebration are year books, pictures and newspaper clippings from throughout the years; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend this Mississippi education milestone which is an historic event in the lives of the education community in the State of Mississippi: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the Bicentennial Celebration of Franklin Academy in Columbus, Mississippi, and acknowledge its history as the first public school in Mississippi, and extend to the citizens of Columbus and the students, faculty and alumni of Franklin Academy our best wishes on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Franklin Academy Principal Kennetra Smith, forwarded to the Columbus Municipal School District and Board of Trustees and the State Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.