William Henderson Peck
Story by Evelyn French • Photos courtesy of the Amelia Island Museum of History

William Henderson Peck was a teacher, principal, mentor and a distinguished leader of the black community on Amelia Island. He was respected among both the white and black citizens of the town. Even though many local white people did not really know him, they respected him as a strong advocate for quality education for the blacks of Nassau County.

Professor William Henderson Peck's educational
career lasted almost five decades.
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Information about the life of Professor William H. Peck (1859-1950) is very limited since many newspapers and documents were destroyed by fire or flood during his lifetime. The information that remains, though, is very interesting. According to many who knew him, Professor Peck was a very private individual who did not seek the limelight for his contributions to education.
In 1880 the black community, led by Henry Delaney, petitioned for a high school here in Fernandina that the black children could go to and receive an education like the white children. "At this time in history black children did not go to school as many days as white children," says Ele Colborn, Chairperson of the Peck Committee. "It was usually a 30 to 60 day period for the blacks and a much longer school year for the white children."
The school was constructed in 1884 and was opened to students for the 1885 school year. The building was a four-room schoolhouse located at the corner of Eleventh and Centre Streets. Professor Moses H. Payne was the school's first principal.
Professor Peck came to Fernandina in 1887 from Washington, D.C., where he was a graduate of Howard University. Upon his arrival here, he served as an assistant to Professor Payne. Then, later in 1887, Professor Payne died in the yellow fever epidemic of that year. Peck was then appointed principal, a position he held for nearly 50 years.

This 1931 photo shows the faculty of Peck High School.
Professor Peck is standing in the back left.
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In 1894, the school had all grades up to tenth grade, and by 1908, the school had become a full high school, including twelfth grade. The first graduating class was in 1891 and had six students.
In 1911, the school, which previously was called Nassau Colored School Number One, was finally named Peck High School. In 1928, a new high school was constructed with the same name. This new school would serve the black children of Fernandina Beach and neighboring communities until desegregation in 1968. After that time, students transferred to other local schools, including Southside, Emma Love Hardee and Fernandina Beach High School.
According to Ele Colborn, the high school was probably named after Professor Peck because he pursued education so strongly and had so many years of service in the community. He was responsible for hiring teachers and developing the curriculum that would be taught. He had summer school classes for teachers to train them and get them ready for the upcoming school year.
According to Willie Mae Ashley, a longtime resident of Amelia Island and a student at Peck High School during the time Professor Peck was principal there, she remembers him riding a bicycle everywhere. Even though he owned a car - he never drove it. She also recalled recently while talking with an old classmate that Professor Peck was strict - but always with good intentions. For example, he kept telling a young man who slouched his shoulders, "Keep your shoulders up" when he would pass him, reminding him to stand tall and be proud.
According to Ms. Ashley, he was just that kind of person who cared and was always trying to better people.

William Peck also taught Sunday School at his church, as shown in this record from 1913.
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Even though William Peck was a very private person and not much is known about him or his life here on Amelia Island, his influence on the educational system here is still remembered and appreciated today. Because he educated his teachers in his own special way, Peck graduated many community leaders who remember their heritage today and fondly recall their days at their former school. Since he provided such a positive motivation for his faculty and students, William Peck's legacy will continue to be a big part of history here on Amelia Island.
In 2000, Professor Peck was nominated for the distinguished Great Floridians Award, an honor for him, his school and his community.
Peck High School also served as a center of community activities for many generations. After undergoing a major restoration project, the school stands today as one of the oldest black school buildings in Florida, something the community is quite proud of.

The Beautifully Renovated Peck Center is home to a
wide range of Community programs.
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Professor Peck's legacy lives on today at the Peck Center. The main building has many non-profit tenants such as Northeast Community Action Agency, Habitat for Humanity, Amelia Arts Academy and the Police Athletic League. Peck Center also houses a library, computer center, concession room and a wonderful auditorium for concerts and talent shows. There are jazz classes, history lectures, bridge clubs and family reunions held here. Anyone can rent out the auditorium. There is also a gym at the Peck Center, which houses the Head Start program, along with basketball and volleyball leagues.
There are many events to enjoy at Peck Center today because of Professor William Henderson Peck and his lifelong commitment to education. The children of our community are still learning and achieving because of his accomplishments so long ago.

The Peck Center is located at 516 S. 10th Street. It is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. 277-7364.
Peck Gym is located at 510 S. 10th Street. 277-7361.