John de la Howe alumni to gather Oct. 13 for biennial Homecoming
October 8, 2018
Photo: The Lethe site, where Dr. John de la Howe established his home and farm, features historical signs designating Lethe’s buildings.
The John de la Howe School will hold its biennial Homecoming for alumni on Saturday, Oct. 13, on the historic campus, located in McCormick.
Alumni from throughout the United States will gather for the event, which will include an update on the school’s future as a School for Agriculture. Registration will begin at 9 a.m.
In addition to visiting some of the school’s buildings, alumni will have the chance to tour the campus’ tomb area where Dr. John de la Howe is buried. Alumnus Dr. Tony Warren, whose research on De La Howe has led to two archaeological digs, will give tours of the Lethe site where Dr. de la Howe lived and established his farm.
Dr. de la Howe, who died in 1797, provided in his will that his estate be used to establish a home for poor boys and girls from the McCormick area, with preference given to orphans. His desire was that the children would learn farming and other compatible skills so that they could prosper for a lifetime.
Thousands of children have lived and been educated at John de la Howe in the 221 years of the school’s existence.
The Alumni Committee voted on Feb. 2, 1958, to form the John de la Howe School Alumni Association.
A Constitution and By-Laws were developed, and the proposed document was read and discussed on Jan. 17, 1960.
A Certificate of Incorporation was issued from the state of South Carolina on July 7, 1960. On January 29, 1961, the
Charter of the John de la Howe School Alumni Association was presented.
