In 1847, the Missouri legislature passed a law prohibiting the education of African-Americans, free or slave. Just a few years later, turbulence in the nation, and particularly in Missouri and Kansas , over slavery grew to a climax and ensued into the Civil War. While President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it did not immediately affect Missouri 's slaveholders. After the Civil War in 1865, delegates to Missouri 's constitutional convention passed an ordinance abolishing slavery in Missouri , just three weeks before the 13 th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. Missouri 's 1865 constitution allowed the establishment of separate schools for “children of African descent,” but schools for African American children were not mandated in Missouri until 1875.
It is believed that George Washington Carver was born a slave near the close of the Civil War in about 1864 on the Moses Carver farm in southwest Missouri . No actual record of Dr. Carver's birth exists because he was born a slave. Dr. Carver was kidnapped and orphaned as a young child, plagued by ill health, experienced many hardships and prejudice, but rose above life's obstacles.
Dr. Carver and his older brother Jim were raised by Moses and Susan Carver even after they were freed in 1865. Moses and Susan Carver did provide young George with some education, but he quickly learned all they could pass on and yearned deeply for more. Young George was denied an education at schools close to the Carver farm on the basis of his race, but his desire to learn compelled him to leave the security of the Carver farm in pursuit of knowledge and purpose.
In September of 1872, the Neosho School Board noted that a committee of the board reported they could purchase a lot and building between Neosho and Neosho City suitable for a “colored school for $200” (Lot 6, Block 16). Deed records indicate that the school district did purchase the lot in September of 1872 and held it until 1893. While about a 10 mile walk from the Carver Farm, this was the very first school for African- American students young George could attend.
Carver's educational quest began in this one-room “colored” schoolhouse in Neosho, Missouri ; a 10-mile trek for the adventuresome young boy at 10-12 years of age. Oral histories accounts and a sketch from Dr. Carver himself confirm that this is where he first attended school after leaving the Carver farm. While attending school in Neosho , young George Carver lived with Andrew and Mariah Watkins.
While this is the first location Dr. Carver received a formal education, he only spent about one school year in Neosho before he realized that he must look elsewhere to feed his yearning to learn. From Neosho, Dr. Carver headed to Kansas . Supporting himself with odd jobs, he completed high school in Kansas ; only to be denied admission to college due to his race. At around the age of 30, he was the first black student accepted for enrollment at Simpson College in Indianola , Iowa in 1890. In 1891, he transferred to Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts, now Iowa State University . He was the first black graduate, earning a bachelor degree and master's degree in Agricultural Science; and the first black member of the faculty.
In 2004, Arvest Bank acquired the land to the site of the first of three “Lincoln Schools” that existed in Neosho , Missouri and the site where Dr. Carver obtained his first formal education. Arvest Bank Deeded this property to the George Washington Carver Birthplace District Association in a formal presentation on October 9, 2004.
A historical architectural investigation was conducted by the National Park Service on November 9 th and 10 th of 2004. Findings indicated that the original portion of the building dates to about 1870. Comparing the Carver sketch with the remains of the nineteenth century structure strongly indicates that the building was used as the “colored” school Dr. Carver first attended. Initial estimates are that about 75% of the original structure remains intact including most of the stone foundation, framing, siding, first floor finishes, door and window frames, and roof system.
The Association is actively seeking support to continue restoration efforts of the school. To make a tax-deductable contribution to aid in this project please send your gift to:
The Carver Association c/o Lincoln School Project 5646 Carver Road Diamond, MO 64840 Or call 417-325-4151 to make a donation by phone!