The Pigeon Street School and Reynolds School: Preserving "Sacred Ground"

Former Reynolds School student, William McDowell, referred to the Reynolds School property as "sacred ground"; this statement encapsulates the need to preserve the African American history of Haywood County for future generations. These schools represent the fight for equality in a post-slavery and segregated society, providing a positive sense of identity for the larger African American community in Haywood County.

This exhibit consists of interviews that were conducted by students of Western Carolina University, partnered with the Lift Every Voice project of Haywood County, North Carolina. The interviews were conducted in order to document how segregation affected the former students and faculty of both Reynolds School and Pigeon Street School.  The history of Haywood County's two segregated schools have been recorded, highlighting their possible futures.