Second Ward High School National Alumni Foundation 

 Second Ward High School was opened in 1923 in Charlotte, North Carolina as the city's first high school for African American children.  The school was closed in 1969 and torn down during urban renewal.

Since 1980, the Foundation has continued the school's mission of education and community involvement by the school's alumni and friends.  Part of the Foundation's Annual Meeting and Reunion is the Marker Ceremony.  

The 1944 class is in reunion this year

 

 “Reminiscing the Past, Embracing the Present, Building for the Future”

" Our 2014 Reunion is around the corner on August 29 – 31, 2014, at the Airport Sheraton Hotel and we want you to share in this great celebration with alumni and friends. " 

 The Reunion Committee and Delores Giles, Chair

Dear SWHS Alumni, Family and Friends:

Do you remember singing,

“Give me that old Second Ward Spirit”, “Give me that old Second Ward Spirit”, “Give me that old Second Ward Spirit”; it’s good enough for me. When the band started up, we sang this at pep rallies and football and basketball games whether we were behind or ahead in the game.  We were the Second Ward family.

 As we reminisce on the past, think back to the special times we had at our dear alma mater:  writing our Junior Declamation Speech in our junior year; being afraid to cut Miss Mattie Hall’s English class; sneaking off campus to go to the store; what you were going to wear to the Queen City Classic; cramming for that math or social studies test, etc.  I am sure by now you have thought of more adventures you shared with classmates and friends while attending Second Ward High.  Wouldn’t it be fun to see all of your old friends, former classmates and even some teachers again in a few weeks?  Classes in reunion this year are: 1934, 1944, 1954 and 1964 (Golden Anniversary). 

A 1964 graduate, Phyllis Baxter celebrates during a Marker Ceremony.

 We have planned a great weekend for everyone.  Our 3rd annual Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, August 29 at the Renaissance Golf Course.  On Friday night we will celebrate with old school music, table games, videos, exhibits, and a Card Game Tournament that is sure to be as competitive as the Queen City Classic.  You don’t want to miss this!  Saturday morning our annual meeting will convene.  We have a lot going on and valuable information will be shared and presented at this meeting. 

 We will visit the Marker and walk the pathway to our future, “The Gym Project”.  Also, don’t forget to dress in your best blue and white outfit for Saturday night as we dance the night away with classmates and friends.  Sunday morning, we will worship with St. Paul Baptist Church and conclude with the Awards Banquet on Sunday night. 

 Please click on the links below to see the schedule, registration and a complete list of all of the festivities planned.  

Here are links detailing the 2014 Reunion Events: 

• the Annual Meeting/Reunion Schedule and registration form
• the  forms for placing ads or being listed as patrons in the SouvenirBooklet
• the Second Ward Memorial Golf  tournament registration and forms 
• the contribution form for the House/Museum and Special Projects
• a flyer for our newest archive project in the historic Second Ward gym.

Who We Are

The Second Ward High School National Alumni Foundation is dedicated to keeping the school's memory alive and to be a resource in finding and sharing our community's African American heritage

 Since the organization of the Foundation in 1980, one of our missions has been to be a resource to the community to our partners and to individuals looking to find people, stories, images and information. 

We have developed our collections from numerous donations and projects.  But we are more than an archive.  Working with colleagues and volunteers from the Foundation, we have created museum exhibits, books, interactive media, a documentary film, special events and on-camera interviews with Charlotte black leaders. 

 For several decades we have served as a resource to conserve and preserve the images of our community.  Our mission grew out of the educational endeavors of the teachers at Second Ward – to document and educate all citizens.

What We Do

The documentary, A Colored School, features remarkable 1941 film footage from a day at the school and surrounding neighborhood. View stories about the film at UNC-TV.

 The May Queen, Margaret Alexander, pictured above  and is one of the students shown in 1941 and on-camera today.

 The Second Ward Foundation's traveling exhibit is available for events

How We Make Our Mission Possible

We are a volunteer organization and our many projects have been made possible through the work of our volunteers, contributions from alumni and friends and from grants and awards from the following:

The Arts & Science Council of Charlotte has awarded operating and special project grants; The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has helped us document and preserve important histories; and The Good Samaritan Fund of the Episcopal Church has supported our work on the James Peeler photo archive.

House/Museum at 1905 Beatties Ford Road

Alumni and citizens can visit the House/Museum to see memorabilia from the high school and exhibits on the Second Ward neighborhood and other Charlotte neighborhoods that were home to the black community. 

Groups or individual may make appointments to visit or use the Foundation House at 1905 Beatties Ford Road in west Charlottte near the intersection of LaSalle Street.

We are an all volunteer organization and do not have regular museum hours.  But please call us at 704.398.9333  to arrange a visit.