THE TIGER AND THE TORCH ebook

THE H ISTORIC CHRISTIANSBURG INSTITUTE (1866-1966)
The strong desire to learn encouraged African Americans to work with Captain
Charles Schaeffer and others who shared their vision to INITIATE formal
education in Christiansburg, VA. Resources, support and patience allowed them
to IMPLEMENT the plan for Christiansburg Normal Institute’s first brick school
building (now called Christiansburg Community Center).
Using Hampton and Tuskegee Institutes as models, Booker T. Washington
began to INFLUENCE the decisions that would successfully address several
economic challenges. The school’s name changed from Christiansburg Normal
Institute to Christiansburg Industrial Institute and with focused leadership, the
curriculum was adjusted and the community saw the enrollment of the campus
INCREASE.
The survival of the Institute was seen as activity began to INTENSIFY with new
buildings, teacher institutes, a new water system, and farm production. As the
enrollment grew beyond building capacity and challenges with the newly
formed hospital developed, the need to IMPROVISE became clear.
With the changing times, The Friends’ Freedmen’s Association decided to
INVITE the local school board to take the lead in supporting the Institute.
Transitions brought a different philosophy and the staff adjusted to IMPART
new educational practices that had an emphasis on preparing students for
college.
After the local school boards took over the administration, the Tuskegee model
was replaced, “Industrial” was removed from the school name and they chose
to INVEST in busing. The school had dual accreditation, additional courses and
more extracurricular activities; however, desegregation laws were enforced, the
school closed, and students experienced firsthand what it meant to
INTEGRATE.
Photo Credit: Virtual Christiansburg Institute Poster
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