Chartered by an act of the General Assembly on February 1, 1788,Glynn Academy is the second-oldest public high school in the South and one of the oldest in the United States. The building pictured above (public domain image, via Wikipedia) and below dates to 1840. It is thought to be the oldest standing wooden public school structure in Georgia. Also, it is the only extant antebellum structure in Glynn County. In its early history it served as a temporary courthouse for Glynn County, as well. It was moved to Sterling in 1915, where it was used as a school for African-Americans until desegregation and was returned to this location in 2008 and is now used as an interpretive museum.
Several historic structures make up the campus of Glynn Academy, which is one of two high schools in Glynn County.
The Annex Building dates to 1889, and was designed by Alfred Eichberg. A lightning strike did severe damage to the structure in 2005. It has been completely remodeled and remains a vital part of the campus.
The Prep Junior High School Building is perhaps the most recognizable structure on the campus. Built in 1909 to house sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, it was later annexed by Glynn Academy.
Savannah architect Henrik Wallin (1873-1936) designed the eponymous Glynn Academy Building, which was erected as a memorial to Glynn County’s World War I veterans. It was completed in 1923 and today is the school’s main administrative building.
The A. V. Wood Gymnasium was built in 1928 to advance physical education at Glynn Academy. Though supplanted by a more modern gym, it is still in use today.
National Register of Historic Places
My name is Billy Brewer. I graduated from Glynn Academy in 1967. Since August 2005 I have ben conducting an email group of former students, teachers, and coaches who taught, learned and played at and for Glynn Academy. At out peak we had around 740 classmates/email recipients in the group. We shared many memories, mostly fond, of the days most of us loved the most. Presently, we are listing the Glynn Academy classmates who married other Glynn Academy classmates. Part One of this list got so long we had to start Part Two, and now it is growing fast, too. We have a “Gone but Not Fogotten” list that is longer (far longer) than our active email group, and we are adding to it at a much more rapid rate than we are reconnecting with the missing classmates of the late ’40s, ’50s, ’60s and early ’70s. It has been a fun ride and we hope to keep it going for as long as we can. Part of our legacy we hope to leave for today’s Glynn Acacemy graduates is the Glynn Academy ’60s Decade Alumni endowed scholarship at the College of Coastal Georgia. Your contributions are welcomed!
Was there a Lanier in Brunswick. I am from Montgomery, AL and there is a huge and beautiful Sidney Lanier HS (called the Castle). He resided in Montgomery for a few years.
Sidney Lanier, the poet, wrote “The Marshes of Glynn” while in Brunswick. The bridge (now) nearby has his name. So does the blvd that ran along the east side of Brunswick. I grew up on that boulevard and went to Sidney Lanier Elementary school. That building has ceased to be a grammar school (building) and has been renovated and incorporated into the Glynn Academy campus as a high school grade level classroom building. So, there is no Sidney Lanier High School in Brunswick. I think he was from Macon, Ga. While I lived in Macon I went to the Carnage Library there and saw a glass case with his memorabilia. I think in Macon there was, and still may be, a Lanier High School.
I also attended Prep and Glynn Academy. Two brothers as well.
I attended Sidney Lenier, Prep High and graduated from Glynn Academy in 1957. Awsome environment at all three schools…my fellow students and the talented teachers provided class rooms of learning that resulted in a broad well balanced education. Living and growing up in Glynn County was pleasant and fulfilling. A rewarding and strong foundation to begin one’s adult life.
Proud to have attended Prep and Glynn Academy. Class of 59. What a great education!
I went to Brunswick High School but had classes at Glynn Academy. Awesome school and great rivalry! Went back to visit and drove by my old school and it’s gone! Glad Glynn Academy will be there always!!
Thank you for these pictures. I attended both Prep High and Glynn Academy and graduated in Class of ;52. Wonderful memories!