Page 12 - Classically Carolina 2017
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Sites included in the Campbell Street If it had not been for Mather, many people and
Corridor tour include places of worship, schools, children would not have been exposed to the
businesses and residences, which were also arts,” Adams recalled.
featured in a Camden Archives & Museum Adams also pointed out what was known as
African-American exhibit. the colored library, the only library available to
Adams provided additional insight into some African-Americans in Camden.
“The colored library
was where the police
department is … most
people don’t know that.
This building was designed
by Mr. John R. Harper, the
industrial arts instructor
at Mather. He, along
with some townsmen and
his students, built that
building. Before that
building, the only access
children had to a library
was Mather’s library.”
Richardson said she hopes
the tour helps to highlight
achievements of the
of the sites along the corridor. She is a 1952 African-American community.
graduate of Mather Academy, a private day and “I think we’ve forgotten it. The younger
boarding school founded by the Women’s Home generations of the African American community
Ministry of the Methodist Church in 1887. do not know how important it was. It is very
“The school was a hub for black family life. important for us to make sure everyone
Much of the cultural life of the black community remembers. If you read through the brochure
was centered around Mather. We had a big you get a sense of what the neighborhood was
auditorium so there were concerts and poets like. It is important for us to make sure people
and famous people who would come for lectures. remember,” Richardson said.
22 / Camden ~ Classically Carolina
