The Literary Fund 1820s

Archibald Murphey promoted the idea of The Literary Fund during the 1820s, when North Carolina had earned a reputation (rightfully or wrongfully) as the Rip Van Winkle State.  The state lagged behind others in internal improvements and participated minimally in the ever-growing Market Revolution.  It seemed to be asleep.  Murphey worked to awaken the state.

In 1825, a bill was passed that established The Literary Fund, and the effort became North Carolina’s first attempt to establish public schools.  The program received funds from stock dividends, a retail liquor tax, and the sale of swampland.  Historian Milton Ready regretfully points out that The Literary Fund received what was leftover after the state had used stock profits for internal improvements.  Education was a secondary concern.

The Fund’s purpose was to help communities build common schools by distributing its monies across the state, county by county, according to the free population.  It was managed by the governor, the chief justice, both speakers of the both legislative houses, and the state treasurer.

The Literary Fund never accomplished its mission.  Efforts to increase its revenue were rejected time after time.  That may be in part because The Literary Fund was used for purposes other than education.  A decade after its beginning, the program had accumulated $243,000 and spent $239,000.   Only approximately 20 percent was spent for public schooling.  The government frequently dipped into the fund to pay for legislators’ salaries as the state waited for taxes to be received.

Another problem was corruption.  John Haywood, the state treasurer, for instance misappropriated $28,000.

The Literary Fund lasted until the Civil War.  It ran completely out of funds; the state had invested heavily in Confederate bonds.  

Tour Group Discounts

Coming to Visit Historic Wilmington, North Carolina this summer? Tour Group Discounts. 5 Star Story Tellers!

Always a good Day for a Haunted Cotton Exchange or a History Walking Tour!
Group Discounts with 10 or more, age 12 and under FREE with adult.  Great for bus tours groups, clubs,schools, family reunions, company outings, fund raisers..
Fun for the whole family!
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Help Send a school class on a Field Trip this year!

Help us raise funds for send a class on a field trip. 
Free History Tours and in class presentations for underprivileged and low income children in and around the Wilmington NC area.

Hello:  My name is Lori Erwin; I own and operate Tour Old Wilmington.  I offer history walking and step on guide tours in and around Wilmington NC.  I love what I do; and it shows from my 5 star reviews.   

I have studied and been fascinated with local history since I moved to Wilmington twelve years ago.    My specialty has been the Victorian Era, 1837 to 1901. As a storyteller and performance artist; I enjoy dressing in one of my old fashion dresses to give fun history tours downtown.  My dream is to create a Traveling History Show allowing me to bring my show to larger groups.

Tour Old Wilmington opened in 2009.  Since then, the tiny business has grown steadily.  In an effort to grow the business; I recently received approval from the state to give tours to school children.  Some of these groups have included local Boy Scout troops, church groups, retirement homes and elementary and high school students. 

 With your help, we will be able to provide historical walking tours for all who would otherwise miss the experience.

If you fund this, you will allow our underprivileged area students to learn about local history and to develop an appreciation for history and learning.  Additionally, you will be supporting a local Wilmington company with a great heart!

Impact

97% of Adults in America state that they are not interested or like history.  From my public school experience, I would have to agree.  It was dry, boring and full of dates to memorize.  It wasn't until I went to collage and had a wonderful history professor; did I develop an interest in History.

I believe that if children can experience this excitement at an early age; the excitement for History can spread to all areas of their learning.  With your help, thousands of children in the Wilmington area will have the opportunity learn about their local history.  Help me make a living and spark an interest in History and Learning!

Company Sponsorship:

Company Sponsorship for a Class Field Trip for $200, this will pay for the tour and bus driver for an entire class.  With this donation, you will receive a group picture, thank you letter from the class, listing on our web site with class picture and your company information with link to your web site. and a gift certificate for Two for yourself or to give as a gift. A $24 value with no Expiration Date.

I estimate that there are over 20,000 children in our area that could benefit from your funding.   It is my hope that I will be able to reach all of these children over the next few years. 

Other Ways You Can Help

For each Regular Adult Ticket purchased, we'll match it with a donation to the class field trip fund.
Or
For the price of a coffee at Starbucks you can send a Two kids on a field trip.  Hit the Donate Button and give what you can.

Please help me get the word out!  Please forward an e mail or post on your Face Book or Linked In.

 Any support is welcome!  

Student Travel Impacts Student Achievement
Many middle schools have an annual trip to Washington, D.C. where seventh and eighth graders focus on U.S. history connections to the social studies curriculum. Fifteen years of student travel experience have convinced me that these travel opportunities provide substantial benefits to both the individual and the school as a whole.

While acting as a middle school trip sponsor, I have seen tremendous growth in students who have participated in a student travel program. They become excited about learning. They not only develop new skills, but they become more involved in their everyday classroom experiences. I'm convinced that educators can truly impact a young adolescent's education when they include student travel whether it's domestic or international in their curriculum.

Initially, students gain a greater understanding of the geography of the portion of the country they are visiting. Teaching geography is a traditional challenge, but geography comes alive when young people see it with their own eyes instead of looking at a map hanging from the classroom wall or a textbook photo. I recommend that student tour groups try to take full advantage of this by having students ride on motor coaches rather than flying. It may take longer to reach your destination, but every moment of the trip can be a learning experience.

A second benefit is the valuable knowledge you gain about the specific region being toured. Each area has local customs and historical areas that capture the past and are rich in educational value. I believe it's wise not to rush to a destination, but to take time to experience the unique qualities of communities while passing through, whether it's an authentic Eastern European meal in Chicago or visiting the cradle of liberty in Philadelphia.

Students can also be exposed to the arts and culture through educational travel. For example, I always scheduled a dinner theater production when our school visited Washington, D.C. The experience was often the initial exposure to a live production and a meal of this nature. Our teachers also made a big deal of the event by asking the students to dress up for the occasion.

When traveling to large cities, students are able to visit art museums and see, for example, the Impressionist paintings. One advantage to traveling with a student group is that the group can attend special activities such as mini-lectures by museum personnel to prepare them for what they are about to see. An opportunity of this nature at such an early age is invaluable to the overall development of the individual. The experiences we have in our formative years help prepare us for adulthood.

While students clearly gain from educational travel, so does the school. The students learn about the tradition of educational travel and look forward to the grade level experience for years prior to their actual trip. In addition, they continue to talk about it for years following the trip. A high school counselor once told me that the two most memorable middle school experiences seniors recalled were their eight grade trip to Washington, D.C. and the academic honors they achieved during their middle school careers. The school also builds positive relationships with the parents who serve as trip chaperones, and they share their enthusiasm. I always selected chaperones from my PTO, teachers in the district or neighboring districts, or school board members. Once they went on a successful trip, they became ambassadors for youth educational travel.

In my experience educational trips lead to greater academic achievement in the classroom.  A traditional yearly trip certainly provides an incentive to those students wishing to participate. The travel experiences also turn on some students who cannot be reached in the traditional classroom setting. School Boards view student travel as an extension and enrichment of the curriculum. Therefore, the attendance and behavioral guidelines in effect during the academic year can also be used to select the participants and guide behavioral expectations throughout the trip.

"Travel brings the classroom curriculum alive, inspiring students to learn through first-hand, interactive experiences. It teaches understanding of other people, their history and customs. Travel also motivates students to achieve in their classrooms."
Michael Palmer, Student Youth Travel Association Executive Director
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About the Author
Travel Adventures is staffed by educators who understand the needs of teachers. We've been creating unique and educational student travel experiences since 1987, serving over one half million students since our inception. We provide hassle-free travel arrangements while empowering teachers to create change by expanding the classroom to the world.