Brainerd Institute

{{Use American English|date=April 2022}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}{{Infobox school

| name = Brainerd Institute

| image = Brainerd Institute.jpg

| caption = The school c. 1910

| location = Chester, South Carolina

| country = United States

| established = {{Start date|1868}}

| closed = {{End date|1939}}

}}

Brainerd Institute was a school for African Americans in Chester, South Carolina.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/chester/S10817712013/index.htm|title=SCDAH|website=www.nationalregister.sc.gov}} It was founded by the Presbyterian Church and opened in 1868. Alumni include Vivian Ayers Allen{{Cite web|url=http://brainerdinstituteheritage.com/about/|title=About}} and Daniel Jackson Sanders. Originally an elementary school it served 10 grades by 1913.{{Cite web|url=https://discoversouthcarolina.com/products/26696|title=Brainerd Institute|website=discoversouthcarolina.com}} It expanded to include Brainerd Junior College, a teacher training program, in 1934. It closed in 1939 as competition from public schools increased.{{Cite web|url=http://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/brainerd-institute/|title=Brainerd Institute}}

Originally established with support from the Freedmen's Bureau, the school was later sponsored by the Presbyterian Church.

File:Kumler Hall - Chester, SC.jpg]]

The only remaining building from the school's 18 acre campus is Kumler Hall. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The University of South Carolina Libraries have a collection of photographs related to the school.{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/80764644|title=Chester, S.C.: Brainerd Institute|first1=George Valentine|last1=Hennies|first2=Sally|last2=Kennedy|first3=C. E|last3=Lightner|first4=N.C.)|last4=Carolina Studio (Charlotte|date=March 2, 1888|oclc=80764644 |via=Open WorldCat}}

It was preceded by Fairfield Institute run by Willard Richardson in Winnsboro, South Carolina.