CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The Avery Research Center marks 160 years since the founding of the Avery Normal Institute, a school established for formerly enslaved African Americans that continues to serve as an educational hub today.
The research center houses extensive archives documenting Lowcountry history, with some collections dating back to the 18th century. The facility operates as both a repository and a welcoming space for visitors seeking connections to their heritage.
“Whenever you come into the Avery, we’re always going to tell you welcome home. No matter who you are. Because you will be able to find yourself. You’ll be able to find your family. You’ll be able to find anything within our building,” said Daron Lee Calhoun II of the Avery Research Center.
Historical significance preserved
The building originally served as a K-12 private school in the late 1860s, educating formerly enslaved children and preparing them for professional careers. Notable figures connected to the institute include W.E.B. DuBois, who visited multiple times, and Septima Clark, who graduated in 1916…