This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Harrington School, a bedrock of St. Simons Island’s Harrington Community. The St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition, which manages and maintains the school, has been planning a full year’s worth of projects, activities, and events to celebrate the centennial of the historic school.

The one-room Harrington School, built in 1924, is based on designs offered by the famous Rosenwald School Building Program that gave African American communities in the South funding to build and supply schools for Black students between 1913 and 1932.  Many of these schools became the centers of historically Black neighborhoods.  That is certainly the case with the Historic Harrington School, which for decades served as a primary gathering place for generations of Black families on St. Simons.

One of the first events in celebration of the school’s anniversary includes a partnership between the St. Simons Heritage Coalition and Glynn Visual Arts. On Saturday, April 13, the two organizations will host a day of fun activities from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Heritage Coalition will lead guests in “school yard games and songs” that students participated in when they attended the school in the 1900s. Glynn Visual Arts will also sponsor a “Creation Station” where “kids of all ages” can participate in numerous art projects. All activities are offered free of charge. However, contributions are welcome to help establish an endowment for the long-term care and management of the historic school building.

Event Info:

Date: Saturday, April 13th

Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Location: Historic Harrington School, 291 South Harrington Road, St. Simons Island

Cost: Free

Details: Fun, games, music, and special onsite art projects for “kids of all ages” in a festive atmosphere to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Historic Harrington School.