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About Us

Welcome to the Fair St. Butler High Schools Alumni Association, Inc.
 
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of Fair Street and E.E. Butler High Schools, which were high schools for African Americans in Gainesville/Hall County, Georgia, and surrounding areas during racial segregation.
 
Our mission is to preserve the heritage of Fair Street and E.E. Butler High Schools, prepare the proud community’s future, and raise funds to support the community through scholarships and projects.
 
Our Story
 
Former Fair Street and E.E. Butler High Schools students founded the Fair St. Butler High Schools Alumni Association, Inc.. Initially, the Reunion Committee sponsored a biennial school reunion. The Reunion Committee of 1991 has since morphed into a nonprofit 501©3 corporation that raises funds to support the community through scholarships and projects to continue the heritage and help the community’s people thrive.
 
Our Achievements
 
Over the years, we have achieved several milestones in our mission to preserve the heritage of Fair Street and E.E. Butler High Schools. We have awarded scholarships to deserving students, organized community events, and supported local projects that align with our mission. We are proud of our achievements and committed to continuing our work to impact the community positively.
 
Get Involved
 
We welcome alumni, friends, and people who share our objectives to join our organization. You can help us achieve our mission by donating money, volunteering your time and skills, or attending community events. Together, we can make a difference in the community and preserve the heritage of Fair Street and E.E. Butler High Schools.
 
Thank you for visiting our website!

Board Of Directors

The Fair St-Butler High School Alumni Association, Inc. has changed in many ways. We are now a 501(c) (3) corporation that supports the Gainesville-Hall County area in many ways. The Reunions are smaller than the first one as membership decreases and ages

Letter From
The President

Welcome to the Fair Street-Butler High Schools Alumni Association, Inc. website. Our organization is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Fair Street and E.E. Butler High Schools, which educated African Americans in Gainesville/Hall County, Georgia, and surrounding areas during racially segregated education. The legacy of our schools transcends the schools’ physical walls; it extends into the vibrant tapestry of the Southside community. During the era of racial segregation, the Southside became a cradle of resilience and triumph. African American students, barred from the same institutions as their white counterparts, excelled in academics, theater, chorus, and athletics at their Colored schools, as called then. Unable to dine in downtown restaurants, they cultivated vibrant social lives around establishments like Maxey’s, Clearview, and Poole’s (aka Dadeos’) on Athens Street. In response to the racial restrictions on movie theaters, they built the Roxy Theater on Athens Street, providing a space for joy and cultural expression.

While not opulent, the Southside transformed into a joyful and soulful community. The Fair St.-Butler High Schools Alumni Association, Inc. commemorates not only the thriving African American business section on Athens Street and Highway but also the resilience that transformed adversity into prosperity. This celebration is not just about the past; it’s about preparing the community for a future built on strength and unity.

We appreciate your visit to our website and hope you find it informative and engaging. Please feel free to explore the site and learn more about our organization. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.

1991 Reunion
Committee

This picture is the first Reunion Committee and includes Mary Render Acree, who first envisioned the Reunion idea. The combined gathering has allowed Fair Street and Butler High alumni to reminisce, reflect, and fellowship since 1991.While researching for this article–meaning:

I asked my wife–we found a pamphlet on the history of the Fair Street- Butler High School Reunion.Here are some highlights to save you from the boring details. The Fair Street-Butler High Schools Reunion began in 1991 as the dream of Mrs.

Acree. She envisioned ” someday seeing classmates, teachers, and staff of the two schools from near and far unite and reminisce about school days and friendships.” “For most of the twenty years, I lived in Cleveland, Ohio,” said Acree in the ninth biennial Reunion program.

The Mighty Tigers Are Still Roaring!!!

The Fair St-Butler High School Alumni Association, Inc. has changed in many ways. We are now a 501(c) (3) corporation that supports the Gainesville-Hall County area in many ways. The Reunions are smaller than the first one as membership decreases and ages