Avalon School
A lack of compulsory school laws did not preclude efforts to provide education to the children of Avalon. In all likelihood, the Moravian Church was a driving force behind establishing schools in the villages. The Moravians held a high regard for education and unlike some of their contemporaries, the Moravians maintained the idea that both boys and girls should receive an equal education.
Sources have revealed few details of the school at Avalon. However, there is an interesting article in the February 1906 edition1 of The Wachovia Moravian detailing how the school began in Mayodan. The article illustrates a genuine interest in providing a school by the mill's founders. It also provides insight to conditions and attendance. It is worthy to including this information about the Mayodan school as a view of the Avalon school must have been similar.
In the fall of 1897 efforts began to establish the first school in Mayodan. Mrs. Lucy Weathersbee was suggested for the teaching position. A letter written to Mrs. Weathersbee offered her the position and expressed that W.C. Ruffin, treasurer of the mills, and the Moravians were interested in her. The letter invited her to her to Salem, North Carolina to discuss the position with Reverend Howard Rondthaler, the Moravian pastor at Salem. The letter mentioned they were looking for a teacher who would take an active interest in church and Sunday school work, then asked her to consider the position seriously before making a decision. The letter ended with a warning that the job would not be a light undertaking.1
The idea fascinated Mrs. Weathersbee and she expressed that she loved pioneer work. She met with Reverend Rondthaler and an appointment was made for them to meet again in Mayodan in November. From the meeting in Mayodan an agreement evolved with W. C. Ruffin to establish the school with Mrs. Weathersbee as teacher. There wasn't a school building in Mayodan; therefore, the Moravian chapel was offered for use. The chapel was to be fitted with patent desks, a rostrum, a chart, a blackboard, and an old piano. School was set to begin on January of the following year.1
Monday, Jan 3, 1898 was the first day of school in Mayodan1. Doubts had been expressed as to how the new school would be received. The probability of gathering the children together was the main concern. "Would the parents be interested and would the children themselves be willing to leave their play and come?"1
When the first bell rang fifty-five children piled in the chapel. Only ten of those had ever seen the inside of a school room. More children came and there weren't enough benches to accommodate everyone. In response W. C. Ruffin engaged a Mr. Lehman with the task of building more benches. Meanwhile, boxes fetched from Mr. Tesh's store served as seating for many of the children while others sat on the floor. By the school's second Monday, eighty-two children had enrolled. The people who planned and funded the school were pleased with the turnout and took it upon themselves to voluntarily levy a tax to ensure the school's continued operation. Early on, Colonel Fries visited the school. Leaning against the wall, just inside the door with a look of surprise and pleasure he stated that, "the wonder to him was to see those untrained children so soon keeping in such perfect order."1 Regarding how Mrs. Weathersbee dealt with so many students, she said that the work was mostly of a single grade. Sixty-five out of her eighty six students were primary. Throughout the term, the number of students enrolled accrued to one hundred and fourteen and the average attendance was sixty.1
Fig. 21. Miss Ida Summers. School teacher at Avalon from 1909-1911.
In sources concerning the school at Avalon there were similarities to the story told of the Mayodan school. It's unclear as to when the school started; however, clues suggest that it was early on. The first public school was held in two rooms of a house by Miss Elma Hege2. Like in Mayodan, the majority of the attendees were likely of primary age. A number of the older children were working in the mill. At least a few children in Avalon were taught at home by their families instead of attending the school2. An official school building was never built at Avalon. Having all of the students clumped together in two rooms must have proved difficult for teachers. Disciplinary woes were said to have led to a high teacher turnover rate2. At least seven different people held the teaching position over a course of less than twelve years2. The last teacher at Avalon was Miss Ida Summers who taught between 1909 and 1911. Sometime during the years Miss Summers taught, the original company store was destroyed by fire. A two-story brick building was built to replace the store. When complete, the school was relocated to the top floor of the store2.
In Mayodan and perhaps Avalon too, mill workers received an opportunity for at least a rudimentary education. Around 1909 Reverend Berkely held a night school for workers who were unable to attend the public school. Berkely claimed to have about fifty students who were divided into three classes. His students were young men learning to read and write.3
- 1. Weathersbee, Lucy W. "A Sketch of the Mayodan School Work," The Wachovia Moravian (Salem, NC) February 1906.
- 2. Foushee, Ola Maie, Avalon: A North Carolina Town of Joy and Tragedy (Chapel Hill, NC: Books, 1977), 41-43.
- 3. Berkeley, Alfred R. "Establishing the Church in a Southern Mill Town," In The Spirit of Missions: An Illustrated Monthly Review of Christian Missions, vol. LXXIV (New York: Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 1909),132-36.
- Fig 21 - Unknown, Miss Ida Summers (1909-1911), Location, Mayodan, NC, Image [from Avalon: A North Carolina Town of Joy and Tragedy (Chapel Hill, NC: Books, 1977), 42].