Kumler Hall, located at the intersection of Lancaster and Cemetery Streets in Chester, South Carolina, is a significant historical landmark and the sole surviving structure of the former Brainerd Institute. Established in 1868 by the Board of Missions of the Presbyterian Church, USA, Brainerd Institute was one of the earliest and most esteemed private schools dedicated to educating African-American freedmen in South Carolina following the Civil War. The institute offered a comprehensive curriculum that included vocational, industrial, mechanical, classical college preparatory, and teacher training programs. Until the early 20th century, it provided the only educational opportunities for Black children in Chester, with high school education available until the 1920s. ​

Constructed around 1916, Kumler Hall served as a two-story brick dormitory for boys. Its architectural design features a central longitudinal hallway opening onto a porch, with a single-flight stairway and rooms on either side across both floors and the basement. The building’s historical significance led to its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places on January 27, 1983.

After Brainerd Institute closed in 1939 due to declining enrollment and financial challenges, Kumler Hall remained as a testament to the institute’s legacy. In 1997, Dr. Vivian Ayers Allen, an alumna of Brainerd’s final graduating class and a celebrated poet and cultural activist, purchased the property. Her daughters, actress Phylicia Rashad and dancer Debbie Allen, have actively supported restoration efforts. Together, they initiated the Workshops in Open Fields program, utilizing the campus’s green spaces to promote preschool literacy and arts education. ​

Today, Kumler Hall stands not only as a preserved historical structure but also as a beacon for educational and cultural enrichment in the community. Ongoing restoration efforts aim to fully rehabilitate the building, ensuring its continued use for artistic and educational programs that honor the rich heritage of Brainerd Institute.