The Incredible Story of an Early African-American College All that remains of a sprawling Swift Memorial College complex is a restored building that now serves as memorial museum and warm, accommodating public gathering space. This is the story as copied from their website, swiftmuseum.org . IT’S HISTORY In East Tennessee, at the close of the Civil War, the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America found itself somewhat adrift and disorganized. In taking its bearings and considering its re-organization in 1863, it discovered that it had a new factor to deal with in taking up anew the work of the Mister. That new factor was the newly-emancipated Freedmen. The change of affairs and relations which had been produced in their condition before the war, made it necessary for the Church to reconsider them in its re-organization and rehabilitation, and to determine not only its attitude toward them, but what they would do with them and for them. The will, hand and work of Providence in what had happened were unmistakable. The commission, responsibility and duty placed upon the Church in particular, as the result of that will, hand and work, were plainly indicated. The Presbyteria
