NORTH CAROLINA -- During the 1900's North Carolina was home to a pioneer in African American education.
At the age of only nineteen, educator Charlotte Hawkins Brown opened the Palmer Memorial Institute, a preparatory school for blacks, between Greensboro and Burlington.
As Lonnie Schumpert toured the Palmer Memorial Institute she remembered the time she spent there as if it were just yesterday.
"There were a lot of homesick times and a lot of fun times too," said Schumpert.
Lonnie, an Alabama native, attended the school from 1954 to 1956.
"That was a turmoil time among schools and a turmoil among races,” said Schumpert. “Many of the parents were looking for some where solid where to plant their youngsters."
Under the direction of Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, students like Lonnie were taught good manners, a proper dress code, and social graces.
"I think her greatest gift was that she was able to bridge all divides; whether that was a racial divide or an economic divide or a social class divide; she was able to craft a message for the audience that said, ‘You want to invest in African American education and you want your child to have the opportunity to have the best education’" said Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum Site Manager Frachele Scott.
Early on Dr. Brown recognized the importance of black history.
"She was letting her students know, 'You come from great things, regardless of what society is saying or what their perceptions are, you come from significance,’" said Scott.
Lonnie remembers the course work was demanding and Dr. Brown's life lessons were worthwhile.
"Everything was very organized and that's part of her legacy,” said Schumpert. “At the time I don't think a 15 or 16-year-old would appreciate all of that organization, you know how youngsters are, but as I got out in life I look back and I think, 'Oh my was she organized.'"
A trait that helped ensure the historic site would still be standing today. Now, students from all over the state have an opportunity to learn first hand about what boarding school for African Americans was like more than 100 years ago.
"I was just visiting with some fourth graders and I was able to tell them how Dr. Brown was devoted to creating an environment for african americans to get a quality education,” said Scott.
Students, generations apart, often leave the school with a sense of confidence.
"I am inspired to go to college and learn," said Lillington Star Church member Dalante McAllister.
Lonnie said more than 50 years later, she's still thankful for the lessons learned and life she shaped while at Palmer Memorial Institute.
More than 1,000 students graduated during Brown's 50-year presidency.
In 1987, through the efforts of former students and Sedalia neighbors, the campus became a state historic site in honor of Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown.