Hunt High School

R. E. Hunt High School was a public secondary school in Columbus, Mississippi, United States. It served as the high school for black students until the public schools were integrated in 1970. After integration, the buildings were used for seventh graders.

Hunt High School
Address
Hunt High School
924 20th Street North

Columbus
,
Mississippi
39701

United States
Coordinates33°30′23″N 88°24′40″W
Information
TypePublic
Established1952 (1952)
StatusClosed
Closed2011 (2011)
Grades9–12

History

In the 1940s, a Mississippi State University study recommended changes to the educational facilities in Columbus to make the concept of "Separate but Equal" a reality. As a result, the city replaced both the white school and the black schools, Union Academy, which served over 1000 students at the time and Mitchell. In 1952, two schools designed by the same architect, Stephen D. Lee High School and R. E. Hunt High School were opened for the students of Columbus.[1] Hunt was named for local African-American educator Dr. Robert E. Hunt, and was the school for black children.[2] Lee was named after confederate general Stephen D. Lee, and was for white children only. In 1971, US Courts mandated the integration of schools and Lee became Lee Middle School serving 7th and 8th grade while Hunt became Hunt Intermediate School, serving 6th grade. Both schools closed in January 2011.[3]

In 1966, three students from Hunt, Diane Hardy, Barbara Turner, and Laverne Greene, became the first black undergraduates in the 82 year history of the Mississippi University for Women. At the same time, three teachers from Hunt, Jacqueline Edwards, Mary L. Flowers, and Eula M. Houser became the first black graduate students at the university.[4]

In 2012, part of the campus was re-opened as the R. E. Hunt Museum & Cultural Center.[5] The museum is housed in the former Fine Arts Building.[6]

In 2018, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History created controversy by declaring Lee High School, the white school, a Historic Landmark, but not granting the same status to Hunt.[7]

Notable alumni
  • Elbert Drungo, professional football player[8]
  • T Thomas, professional football player, coach[9]
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References
  1. Smith, Slim (12 November 2018). "CMSD explores designating Hunt a Historic Landmark". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  2. "Robert E. Hunt Junior High School student handbook donated". Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  3. Burnett, Garthia Elena (24 February 2011). "Hunt graduates rally to preserve shuttered school". Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  4. "Desegregation 2016: 50th Anniversary of the Desegregation of The W". Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  5. Clark, Jeff (14 November 2012). "Hunt Museum ready for Thursday grand opening". Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  6. "About Us". Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  7. "Our View: Where is a former white high school more historically significant than a black one? In Columbus". 28 October 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  8. "Elbert Drungo". Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  9. Smith, Slim (8 October 2015). "Columbus loses a football legend". Retrieved 11 December 2018.
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