Court Street School event to support new programs Restored building now serves as Freehold education center

Court Street School event
to support new programs
Restored building now
serves as Freehold
education center

FREEHOLD — Lillie Hendry is widely known by borough residents for her desire to help others and her devotion to the town she loves.

Hendry, who was presented with the borough’s McGackin Award last summer in recognition of her dedication to the borough, now needs a little help from her friends.

In her capacity as president of the board of trustees of the Court Street School Education Community Center, Hendry, along with other center officials and a group who call themselves Friends of the Court Street School, will be hosting a cocktail party on April 27 from 5-7 p.m. to celebrate the school’s distinguished history and to raise funds for its programming.

The theme of the fund-raiser is "Revitalizing Our Vision for the 21st Century."

The cocktail party will be held at the Court Street School, Court and Rhea streets.

Hendry gave a brief explanation of the school’s history. She said the school opened in 1921 and provided education for all African-American children in kindergarten through eighth grade and also served as a focal point for social activities until the Freehold school district became integrated in 1949.

Hendry, a graduate of the Court Street School during its era of segregation, said the building became an official historic landmark in 1993.

"This is one of the only restored schools associated with the segregation history of the early 20th-century education of African Americans in the state of New Jersey," Hendry explained.

Work on restoring the building began in 1982 and, according to Hendry, if steps had not been taken to preserve the school, the historic landmark probably would have gone the way of many of its counterparts by becoming non-existent.

"Many black schools were demolished, and all of that history was lost. All history is important to all of us," Hendry said.

Hendry, who graduated from Freehold Borough High School, taught in borough elementary schools and then at the high school. She moved on to the student personnel department and eventually became supervisor of the guidance department.

She said work on the restoration of the Court Street School began with a committee of people who had attended the school in the era of segregation.

She explained that the restoration initially began within the borough, then moved to the county level, state level and then the school finally became recognized on a national level. The school has been restored with funds provided by the county and the New Jersey Historic Trust Fund.

The historic landmark, once a shuttered structure in disrepair with ghosts of the past, is open once again, not only to black adults and children, but to all children in the greater Freehold area.

"This has been our vision and our focus," Hendry said. "Our programs are specifically designed for youth, but are also for the community at large."

Hendry said the effort to bring the Court Street School to the place it now holds in history was not hers alone.

"No island stands alone," she said.

According to a press release prepared by Hendry, "Through the hardships, disappointments and alienation from the larger community, devoted educators like George I. Read, who served as the principal of the school for 25 years, Rosa B. Read, Marcellina Jane Frisbie, Louise B. Jones and Mary Webb Wright all worked to instill in their students racial pride, hope, perseverance and the importance of an education. Their vision was to develop and create a generation of highly productive citizens that contributed to the overall good of society."

Hendry said the original vision of those teachers has been realized. Many of their students have made significant and notable achievements. The legacy of these educators and the alumni of the Court Street School have motivated a 21st century revitalization of the original vision, she said.

Hendry said the renewed vision is to preserve the restored school as a tribute to its unique role in the history of Freehold; to bring together people, groups, cultures and organizations in a common cause; and to provide a variety of services to meet the needs of the community.

Hendry explained that the challenge young people face today is to develop core talents and skills to function in the information age.

"Rather than one job for a lifetime, our children will most likely have many professions in their lifetimes. To ensure they are prepared to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible, we will focus on some specific programs," she said.

She explained that programs such as the homework assist tutorial program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and the computer practice skills program have both been in existence for some time. New programs are scheduled to begin this fall.

Hendry said the center directors are also working on a summer program.

A children’s library and an African-American historical library are available for students to use.

Hendry said center directors eventually hope to instill in the next generation an increased respect for education, self-confidence and a personal winning formula for success.

She asked that people help her and the officials at the center to keep the vision, spirit and community service goals of the historic site alive. She also remarked that the center is in need of volunteers and donations to continue to operate the center.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Court Street School Education Community Center, its work and the cocktail party may call (732) 303-8724.