Brief History of the George Washington Carver Center
The George Washington Carver Club was founded in 1946 by a group of twelve professional African-American women lead by the late Ora T. Porter and Coley Hutcherson. The club was made up of local women concerned about the cultural, social, educational and recreational need of the African Americans of Bowling Green, Ky. The Carver Club was named for the famous African-American scientist and humanitarian, George Washington Carver. During the early start of the organization, the members helped the community with teaching adults to read and write, help with heating assistance, and various school needs including band uniforms and scholarships. The members became concerned that the younger children in the neighborhood had no place to go after school. In 1955, the members raised money and purchased a building at 201 Center Street. The Carver Center Community Center provided many activities for children in the community. The Center was home to groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H , cooking class, sewing, baseball, football lessons on etiquette as well many other activities. During evening hours or weekends, adults used the Center for discussion topics and activities such as bridal showers, baby showers, and other types.
However as desegregation and Urban Renewal expanded, the community changed. Local schools closed. Students were assigned to other schools. Homeowners in the community sold their homes. In the early 80's the City asked Carver Center members to move their building to 201 State Street to make way for urban development.
With the neighborhood gone, the Carver Center focused on activities that brought many of the old family residents as well as some of today’s new ones family. The Center offers: free holiday meals for seniors, an inexpensive meeting place for small family celebrations or group meetings, free tutoring for students grades k-10, free tours of the Shake Rag history collection, and voter registration information and encouragement activities.
The George Washington Carver Center, Inc. continues to improve and provide services to the community in keeping to the original founding goals as listed by the founders:
To promote and foster mutual understanding and good will among all people.
To engage in such activities as shall raise the standard of civic morality, heritage and community welfare through educational programs
To furnish recreational and social facilities for the community
To engage in any and all types of activities not prohibited by law, which shall promote and foster good citizenship among its members, the youth and all interested community members.