There is little doubt that access to education was among the most important freedoms gained at the end of the Civil war.  The Freedman's Bureau did not waste any time in organizing educational institutions.  Local churches reached out, too, especially to adults.

Wilmington was fortunate to draw the attention of wealthy Northern philanthropists, such as George Peabody, Samuel Williston and J.J. Howard Gregory, whose generous gifts funded local schools after the war.

The community should be given the largest share of the credit, however, because even though the odds were against them, they never shied away from raising the funds necessary to provide an education for children.

It was a memorable day when in April 1865 churches had opened four schools.  By November there were six, and by December eight.

Peabody school was the largest school on the north side of Wilmington.  The first school building was erected in 1868 and it grew and prospered.  It was turned over to the city school system, recognized as a city asset and one of the most influential institutions in the black community.

Williston Graded School began as the Freedman's School in 1865 and was turned over to the city in 1873 and named after Samuel Williston.  In 1914 a new school was begun, the Williston Primary  and Industrial School.

The Gregory Normal Institute trained many distinguished teachers who joined local faculties or taught in other communities.

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