MIDDLESBORO — Lincoln School was established in 1910 as an apparatus to provide elementary and secondary education for African American children in Middlesboro, Kentucky. After the United States Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. The Topeka, Kansas Board of Education, which reversed the “separate but equal” decision made earlier by the Supreme Court, Middlesboro, along with the rest of the nation, was mandated by the Court to integrate segregated schools. As a result of this decision, Lincoln School was closed in 1964. While Lincoln School was opened, it successfully educated young men and women, and many became outstanding and accomplished citizens in communities all over the United States.
Since 1972, the Lincoln Alumni Association has celebrated its successful reunion weekends every other year here in Middlesboro. In 2006, the Association decided to have the 2007 reunion in Lexington, Kentucky, because of the lack of hotel accommodations.
The Lincoln Homecoming was started by a group of concerned Lincolnites and friends to keep the community of Middlesboro involved in the honor and celebration of Lincoln School, to keep the important history of Lincoln School in Middlesboro where the story began, and to proudly host the 2007 Lincolnites biennial return home to Middlesboro with ample hotel accommodations.
Lincoln Homecoming will be held in Middlesboro on July 20, 21, and 22. On Friday, July 20, a Hospitality Room will be open at the Downtown Inn & Suites (formerly Best Western) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. At 8 p.m. there will be a Disco for Teens held at the Kentucky National Guard Armory for ages 13 to 20, with the price of admission $5 per person. At 9 p.m., there will be a Disco and Karokee for Adults at the Civic Center for ages 21 and over, with the price of admission $10 per person.
On Saturday, July 21, the Lincoln School Park (the original Lincoln School site) will be the place to be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be sign-up for activities beginning at 10 a.m. if you are interested in the Horseshoe Tournament, Softball Round Robin and Basketball Shootout. A fee will be charged for the contestants, and prizes will be awarded. A concession stand will be open with fish, hot dog and sausage sale, and there will be shelter and tents provided for families to just meet and greet. Vendors may set up booths for a $15 charged. At 2:30 p.m., there will be a program, and a gift will be given to the oldest person, the youngest person, and the person traveling the furthest. At 8 p.m., there will be a Lock-In at Mount Moriah Baptist Church for children ages 2 to 12 as a service to persons attending Homecoming, and nominal fee will be charged. At 9 p.m., there will be a dance at the Civic Center for adults with The Four Of Us Band from Akron, Ohio, who have Lincoln School ties. The price of admission will be $15 per person.
On Sunday, July 22, the Lincoln Homecoming will conclude with a Community Worship Service at the Middlesboro Fine Arts Center at 11 a.m. Rev. Jack Patterson, a Lincolnite, will bring the morning message, and The Revival Center (The Church of the True Living God of Holiness) Choir will provide great gospel music. There will be more Lincolnites on the program.
For more information, please call Edward Ballinger at 248-4779 or Wallace Wade at 248-1089.
If you are a Lincolnite, the child, neighbor or co-worker of a Lincolnite or just have the spirit of a Lincolnite, then come and celebrate Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 20-22, with fun, food and fellowship here in Middlesboro, Kentucky, the HOME of Lincoln School.
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