The Bethel Heritage Center strives to highlight the influence, dedication, and contributions of the African American community in Bethel and Eastern North Carolina.

The Bethel Heritage Center received video footage from around Bethel in late 1939-1940. The photos presented in the gallery were extracted from this footage. 

The Bethel Union School was officially opened in September of 1913 and remained in operation until 1970, when Pitt County Schools integrated. 

The Bethel Union School used the old Bethel Academy building to serve the African American population of Bethel. It is known that the Union School used the Old Bethel Academy until 1926.

Funds were raised by Pitt County and the Julius Rosenwald Fund to build a new school for African American Bethel citizens. In 1938 a fire destroyed the Rosenwald school building. A new complex of buildings were erected in 1940 and would be in use until 1970 when the school systems integrated in Pitt County.

The 1940’s complex of structures were constructed on Barnhill street and served grades one through twelve. The main brick structure housed an auditorium and class rooms and four other external buildings also housed class rooms. Several of these structures are still standing. 

The Bethel Heritage Center is actively working to grow our collection and knowledge of the Bethel Union School and of the African American experience in Bethel and Eastern North Carolina. If you, or someone you know, would like to help with this process please contact us. 

E-Mail: info@bethelheritagecenter.com