York Schools During Segregation

Educational opportunities in York during the era of Segregation for Black children were sparse. In the early 1900s, York had only two elementary schools that Black children could attend – James Smallwood and Aquilla Howard. Black students were rarely seen in the White schools and not a single White student passed through James Smallwood or Aquilla Howard. 

Being the only two schools Black children could attend, some would have to travel several blocks, passing the White schools along the way. Aquilla Howard only provided services up until the fourth grade, so students would have to transfer to James Smallwood – on the opposite end of York – to continue their education to the sixth grade.

Many students recount their days in these segregated schools as a joy, loving their teachers and the lessons they were taught. Their education, however, was not equal to their White counterparts. Students found they received older editions of textbooks, with pages torn out and signs of wear since they had been used by students from other schools. 

When students would continue their education at Hannah Penn Junior High or William Penn Senior High School, the Black students would find they were behind in some lessons due to learning from older editions in their segregated schools.

There were very few schools for Black children to attend in York during the era of Segregation, but finding childcare was even harder. Crispus Attucks York has focused on education since its opening in 1931. In 1932, CAY opened its own Pre-School for the underserved people of York.

Helen Lititia Reeves Thackston came to CAY as Director of the Pre-School in 1932 and stayed until 1964. The Pre-School program for children aged two to five at Crispus Attucks had no government support, but Mrs. Thackston managed to keep the program alive and thriving.

Patient, demanding, and loving are the words often associated with Mrs. Thackston. Sylvia Newcombe, former director of the Recreation Department, remembers, “Helen didn’t just teach children, she taught them to be proud.” Another memory comes from Ethel Laws, “She taught those children things you wouldn’t think four-year olds were capable of.”

Mrs. Helen Thackston was a trailblazer in the field of pre-school education and because of her, thousands of young Black children entered kindergarten with the skills to be successful. 

Many visitors of the History & Culture Center recount their days in Mrs. Thackston’s school as a blessing. As visitors find themselves in pictures on the walls of the center, they tell stories of Mrs. Thackston “crowning them kings and queens” upon graduating. To this day, we can still see the impact that Helen Thackston had on the children growing up in York.

If you want to learn more about segregation in York, visit the History & Culture Center today.