GAINESVILLE - The Harper-Smith House will be dedicated Saturday. The historic house on Athens Street was home to Professor W. J. Harper, the first African-American elementary school principal in the city of Gainesville and later the Smith family, who were also supporters of education.
According to a release from the Harper-Smith House, Inc., an opening service will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and will feature Rev. Dr. Ellery W. Freeman Sr. as the guest speaker.
The official dedication and ribbon cutting will follow at 1 p.m. at the house at 817 Athens Street SE.
The release also stated that Harper played an integral part in the education of African-American students at the time and encouraged minority students to go to college.
E.J. and Latrelle Smith later acquired the home. The Smiths also believed in the value of education and believed very strongly in educating community youths.
The house is historically significant to the Gainesville community, and is on the Local Historical Properties of Gainesville-Hall County registry.
The Harper-Smith House, Inc. is a non-profit community outreach center with the goal to support at-risk children and families facing challenging situations and to provide everyone with a second chance. It is a 501(c)(3) organization.
This year, the organization plans to collaborate with other local groups to develop and implement a mentoring program for young people with a passion for art, as well as partner with nearby Fair Street School to partner a student with a mentor.
