January 19, 2021 • GVL Today
If you’ve lived in Greenville for any amount of time, you’ve probably walked by this statue on the corner of Main + Washington Streets downtown.
You’ve probably passed it on your way to grab a bite downtown or on your morning walk with your dog, but if you don’t know the history of this statue, keep reading. Today we’re going to tell you all about Sterling High School, the first Black high school in Greenville.
Way back in the 1890’s, Reverend Daniel Melton Minus made it his goal to provide local Black children with a high school. He led an educational committee, secured the funding and permits from the state, and in 1896, opened Greenville Academy in a room at Silver Hill Church, where he was the pastor. Enrollment increased quickly, so a bigger space was needed. After using the church for several years, Minus called upon some of Greenville’s wealthiest white businessmen for financial + organizational support. Thomas Parker, a white aristocrat from Charleston, gave a donation of $2,500 to build the school.
Continue reading at https://gvltoday.6amcity.com/sterling-high-school-statue-in-greenville-sc.