Ninety Six, S.C. – May 30, 2025A significant chapter in local and national history was honored on May 30, as the Edgewood Community Center—formerly Edgewood School—held a moving dedication ceremony to unveil both a State Historical Marker and a National Register of Historic Places designation.
Organized by the Edgewood School Alumni Association in partnership with the Edgewood Community Center, the event brought together former students, former teachers and staff, community leaders, local officials, and residents to commemorate the legacy of a landmark that has served generations of African American students and families.
“This is not just a building—it is the heartbeat of our community and the keeper of our stories,” said Edgewood School alumna Velma Williams Caldwell-Wardlaw, Class of 1963. “We stand on the shoulders of those who taught here, learned here, and shaped our futures here.”
Originally opened in 1956, Edgewood School was part of the Ninety Six School District and was constructed specifically to serve Black students in grades 1 through 12 during the era of legally mandated segregation. The new marker recognizes Edgewood’s historical significance, not only to Greenwood County, but to the broader African American civil rights narrative in South Carolina.
Two grants from the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Program helped fund critical preservation efforts. Recent renovations include new flooring in the gymnasium, cafeteria, and classrooms, replacement of the HVAC system over the cafeteria and classrooms, new signage and building letters, painting, locker room upgrades, lighting, plumbing repairs, and roofing restoration—all contributing to the long-term sustainability of the building as a vital community resource.
“We are delighted in reaching our goal of Edgewood School being added to South Carolina historic buildings and places,” said Sarah Louise Hill-Foster, President of the Edgewood School Alumni Association and a proud member of the Class of 1968. “This is a testament of our love for our school, Edgewood. Also, our dedication and teamwork. We are ecstatic about the unveiling of these two markers. We are forever Panthers.”
The newly installed State Historical Marker reads in part:
“This brick campus opened in 1956 as Edgewood School. Part of Ninety Six School District, Edgewood served local African American students in grades 1–12. It replaced the wood frame Ninety Six Colored School on Main Street…”
The full inscription traces the school’s establishment, its architectural significance, its connection to the South Carolina State Equalization Program—which aimed to bolster Black schools while preserving segregation—and the leadership of educators who inspired generations. Of special note is Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, a Greenwood County native and revered civil rights leader, who spoke at the school’s original dedication.
Edgewood School ceased operating as a high school in 1970, coinciding with the integration of the local school district. It later served as a middle school and now functions as a community center, continuing its mission as a hub for education and civic engagement.
“We are happy to be a part of this wonderful process and will continue the legacy moving forward,” said James Hamphill, CEO of the Edgewood Community Center.
Essie Perkins, a former second-grade teacher, reflected: “Receiving a State and National Register marker is a great accomplishment for keeping Edgewood School’s history alive.”
Attendees reflected on the building’s historical and emotional importance, many recalling memories of their school years within its walls. The markers now stand as permanent reminders of the community’s resilience and the critical role Edgewood played in the fight for educational equity.
Preservation and project management were led by the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center’s Community Development Institute, directed by Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton. For more information, contact Dr. Cotton at (803) 747-3519 or by email at [email protected]
