Former Richland One high school honored in national project

Booker T. Washington High School, the first public high school for African American students in Columbia has been honored in a series of prints produced by SIRS-the Social Issues Resource Services Group. 

Initiated by Elliott and Eleanor Goldstein, the "Celebrating America’s Libraries Project"” recognizes unusual and historically significant library services in our country. Each identified library has been honored in a series of prints created by artist Joe Davis, a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art. Based upon a series of photographs from the 1965 Washingtonian yearbook, Mr. Davis has brought to life scenes from the Booker T. Washington High School Library Media Center.

The recognition of Booker T. Washington stemmed from a research project done by Donna Teuber, former member of the district’s Instructional Technology Services Department and A.C. Flora High School, titled “A History of School Libraries in South Carolina.” Dr. Bob Williams of USC ’s School of Library and Information Science was instrumental in bringing her research project to the attention of SIRS. SIRS immediately recognized the significance of Booker T. Washington to the educational success of students in the city of Columbia, and its place in the hearts and history of all of those who attended and continue to support its rich legacy of service.

A framed copy of Davis’ print recently was presented to the Board of School Commissioners in recognition of the pioneering spirit and service of Booker T. Washington High School. It is on display in the Bowman Board Room at the Stevenson Administration Building, 1616 Richland St.