Study Tour 2011 African Americans in the South

Bettis Academy 

Our second day in Columbia gave us the opportunity to visit an important African 

American educational institution of the pre-civil rights time period. Located in 

Edgefield South Carolina, we were lucky and particularly thankful that the museum 

opened exclusiveley for us--thanks to the organization of Val and Dan Littlefield. 
 
In Antebellum America, enslaved Africans were forbidden to learn how to read and 

write by law. Nevertheless, Alexander Bettis (1836-1895) was taught by his owners 

how to read and write. Similiar to Frederick Douglass, during the reconstruction 

period, he advocated the importance of education. Due to this ambition he founded 

Bettis Academy and Junior College in 1881. It started with only one room, one 

teacher and only few students. Yet, Bettis became so successfull that eventually 

had 14 major buildings, and approximately 350 acres of land. When it closed 1952, 

it was indeed one of the best known and most popular institutions for African 

Americans. 

 
As Herbert Bettis, class of has once 

said: "Bettis Academy was like a city 

to me, because everything and everyone

was there" (Auguste Chronicle, 5/2/04).

In fact, Bettis really had it all: a 

Dining hall, a library, s gymnasium, 

a grocery, a hospital, a print shop, 

and much more. 
 
The goal of Bettis was to prepare, 

support and teach African Americans 

about moral and economic success. To 

achieve this proclaimed goal, the academy 

emphasized Christian virtues and values, 

hard work. 
 
As visitors, Bettis Heritage Corridor Team gave us a great insight of what it 

must have been like to attend Bettis. 
 
For anybody who is interested to learn more about the wonderful place, contact:
The Bettis Academy Heritage Corridor Team 
Trenton, South Carolina
(803) 649-7709 

- Bettina