Alumni Reflect on the History of Webb School

McKENZIE (July 7) — The Rotary Club of McKenzie recently held its weekly meeting at the historic Webb School, gathering in the museum and library of a facility that remains a cornerstone of local heritage. The visit served as a poignant backdrop for a story into the institution's enduring legacy and its continued significance to the Carroll County community.

In a look back at Carroll County’s educational history of Blacks, Ike Gilbert and Neal Williamson shared their personal experiences as students of the historic Webb School, an all-black student school. Both men were members of the Class of 1966, the final graduating class of the institution before its closure during the consolidation of schools following the era of integration.

The integration was a part of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed into law on July 2, 1964, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Originally proposed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the bill overcame a 60-day Senate filibuster before passing Congress and officially ending legal segregation and employment discrimination nationwide.

Despite being possibly the newest school facility within the county, integration led students to attend other county schools; the 10-year-old building was closed.

The closure of the school in 1966 during the era of integration did not signal the end of its impact. Instead, it galvanized a movement to protect its history. In 1969, Professor Seets spearheaded the formation of the Webb Alumni Association, which successfully purchased the campus in the early 1970s. Alumnus Roscoe McKenzie was the first president of a newly-formed alumni association, which purchased the building and surrounding campus from the County of Carroll. This dedication to preservation culminated in the school building being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, an effort supported by Carroll Van West, the Tennessee state historian. In 2016, the association furthered its mission by opening a museum on-site to archive and display artifacts, photographs, and records that tell the story of the faculty and students who shaped the institution.

During the presentation, Gilbert and Williamson recounted the rigorous environment that prepared them for life beyond the classroom. Students often balanced their studies with significant responsibilities, including agricultural work and multiple jobs, to support their families and their education.

Despite the hardships of the era, the school provided a comprehensive foundation in academics, agriculture, and vocational skills, with teachers who were deeply committed to their students’ success.

"Webb prepared you to take life anywhere you want to," Williamson noted, reflecting on the school’s curriculum and the guidance of educators like Professor T. A. Wofford, who instilled a sense of discipline and self-reliance in the student body.

Today, the organization continues to maintain the campus and archive the school’s history, ensuring that the contributions of Professor Seets, the faculty, and the students are not forgotten.

The school serves as the home for the Northwest Tennessee Head Start and as a community gathering place. After-school tutoring is offered in the school. Webb Alumni Association also has a historic library in the school building. It is open to the public on Tuesdays and it features graduating class photograph composites, typewriters, photos of the former dorms, agriculture building, and information about the history of the school, its teachers, and its students.