CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – As Juneteenth celebrations continued Saturday, a special ceremony was held to recognize the 100th anniversary of Burt School, and for the unveiling of a Tennessee historical marker honoring the school’s namesake, Dr. Robert T. Burt.

More than 50 people attended the ceremony, including former students and teachers at the school. Local historian Jackie Collins researched the information that is found on the marker which chronicles the life and dedication to the community of Dr. Robert T. Burt.

Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker unveiled on the lawn of Burt Elementary School, 110 Bailey St. on Jun. 17 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Back side of Dr. Robert T. Burt’s Historical Marker on the lawn of Burt Elementary School, 110 Bailey St. on Jun. 17 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Former Burt School teacher 90-year-old Hyburnia Williams speaking at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Jackie Collins receiving a plaque at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Deputy Commander for Clinical Services at Fort Campbell Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Lt. Colonel Ferdy Bacomo, speaking at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden speaking at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Guests at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Tennessee State Senator Bill Powers speaking at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Burt Elementary School Principal Maribeth Mathis speaking at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Carol Clardy Stevens speaking at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Annie Clark speaking at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Guests at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Reverend Clemmie Long speaking at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Jackie Collins speaking at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
T-shirt recognizing the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Steve Bowen & Alice Wisdom at the dedication of the Dr. Robert T. Burt Historical Marker, and 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Burt School on Jun.17, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Front side of Dr. Robert T. Burt’s Historical Marker on the lawn of Burt Elementary School, 110 Bailey St. on Jun. 17 2023. (Lee Erwin)

Burt High was an all-Black school built in 1922 and named in honor of Dr. Burt, who was a physician and supporter of education. When the school opened in the fall of 1923 at 1001 E. Franklin St., it was the only high school for Blacks in Montgomery and surrounding counties. In 1952, a new school was opened at Burt’s current location, 110 Bailey St.

In the spring of 1970, Burt closed its doors as an all-Black high school and reopened as an integrated school for 7th graders only. It was later a school for just 5th graders, and then changed to serve 3rd through 5th graders. A pre-K was added in 2021.

“The history of this school is so rich, deep and vast,” said Burt Principal Maribeth Mathis. “There’s so much more that even I was learning today from the ceremony – what it represents and how far we’ve come through history and the people who made that possible and made it happen.”

Dr. Burt graduated Meharry Medical College in Nashville in 1897 and opened his medical office on Third Street. He opened his hospital on Current Street in 1906, and it continued for 48 years with the help of his wife and nurse, Emma Burt. Dr. Burt died in 1955 at the age of 83.