The Caroline Community Center serves as a hub for community activities, events, and programs in Williamston. It is a place for people of all ages to come together, get involved, and make a positive impact on their community.
The WACC is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all members of the Williamston community. It offers a variety of programs and services, including youth sports leagues, senior citizen activities, community service projects, and more.
It relies on the support of community members, through donations, to help cover the costs of operating the Caroline Community Center and offering a range of programs and services.
The WACC is governed by it’s members and board of directors made up of community members who are committed to the success of the club and the well-being of the community. The members and board meets regularly to discuss club business and make decisions about the direction of the organization.
Membership in the WACC is open to anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in the Williamston area. By becoming a member, individuals can support the club's mission and programs, get involved in community activities, and take advantage of the benefits of membership.
Over the years, Caroline School moved to several different locations as it expanded and grew. In 1908, a new four-room schoolhouse was built on West Caroline Street, offering a more comprehensive curriculum that included subjects like advanced arithmetic, algebra, biology, botany, and Latin, in addition to the traditional reading, writing, and math. Tragically, this school burned down in 1935, but was replaced by a new school at 1 School Street, which is now the current location of the Caroline Community Center.
Caroline School served as both an elementary and high school for Black students until 1955, when it became an elementary school. It remained in operation until the early 1980s, when it was phased out. At this time, a group of Black community members from the New Prospect Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, and the neighborhood established the Williamston Action Community Club (W.A.C.C.), with the goal of turning the Caroline Elementary School property into a community center. The W.A.C.C. successfully acquired the property in 1985, and it has been owned and operated by the club ever since.
Today, the Caroline Community Center is a thriving hub of community activity and a testament to the strength, support, and diversity of the Williamston community. Under the leadership of the W.A.C.C., the center offers a range of programs, events, and services for people of all ages and backgrounds, and is a vital resource for the people of Williamston and Anderson County.
