• Email
• Share
• Print
• RSS
• Font: A / A+ / A++

Rosenwald Schools

Lowe's announces $1 million grant to help restore 17 'Rosenwald schools' in partnership with National Trust for Historic Preservation

In April 2007 the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Lowe's announced a joint initiative to restore 17 iconic schools that represent an important chapter in United States history. Lowe's provided a grant of $1 million to the National Trust for Historic Preservation to save 17 "Rosenwald schools" from permanent disrepair and, through adaptive reuse, to transform them into once-again vibrant facilities in their communities.  

In 1912, Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington partnered to pilot a rural school building program for African Americans in Alabama. The Rosenwald Fund ultimately provided $4.7 million in grants, and African Americans donated an additional $4.7 million to build state-of-the-art school facilities between 1918 and 1932. Today, these buildings are called "Rosenwald schools."  At the heart of many African American communities, these schools served as community centers and provided meeting spaces and school facilities. When the program concluded in 1932, more than 5,300 schools, vocational shops and teachers' homes had been constructed in 15 states across the South and Southwest.

Threat

In 1954, the Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas 1954 Supreme Court decision caused most remaining Rosenwald schools to close. Once closed, these hallmarks of early 20th century African American educational progress and community life fell victim to changing times. Today, no more than 10 to 12 percent of Rosenwald schools are estimated to remain standing. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Rosenwald schools to its list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2002.

"The Rosenwald schools tell a story of extraordinary generosity," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "In a time of great racial inequality, Julius Rosenwald worked with communities across the South and Southwest to improve educational opportunities for African Americans. These schools represent a critical link to our national heritage, and we are very pleased that Lowe's understands the importance of preserving the important places that tell America's story."

Today, Lowe's has contributed $1 million to the National Trust to help preserve these iconic landmarks of monuments to African American history. Lowe's and the National Trust are working together to identify lost schools and restore them as much as possible, often as they sit on the brink of complete destruction.

"Rosenwald schools encouraged a sense of community and paved the way for previously unimaginable educational opportunities," said Larry D. Stone, chairman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. "Time and neglect have put these schools in danger, and we need to act now to save these structures that are as significant to the local community's civic life as they are to our nation's history."

For more information on Rosenwald schools, please visit www.rosenwaldschools.com.

Read the national press release here.

Rosenwald School locations and post-restoration uses: 

Alabama:

• Midway, Old Merrit School: Meeting place for community groups, senior employment program, food bank location, and quilting and craft workshops which provide quilts for needy families.
• Press Release

Georgia:

• Acworth, Acworth Rosenwald School: Community center, social hall for two local churches, and meeting space for sports clubs and other organizations.
• Press Release

Kentucky:

• Hickory, Hickory Colored School: Museum and learning center for students, and meeting place for local groups.
• May's Lick, May's Lick Negro School: Museum, library and community meeting center.
• Press Release

Maryland:

• Mardela Springs, San Domingo School: Community and cultural learning center for students hosting lectures and school field trips.
• Press Release

Mississippi:

• Drew, Drew Rosenwald School - The Lil' Red Schoolhous: Headquarters for local boys and girls club.
• Pass Christian, Randolph School: Senior center and community meeting center.
• Press Release

North Carolina:

• Blount's Creek, Ware Creek Rosenwald School: A center for "Literacy and Life," an adult basic education initiative planned for Beaufort County.
• Cleveland, R.A. Clement School: Community facility, housing a children's library, assembly room, and archives and memorabilia room.
• Wise, Warren County Training School: The "National Julius Rosenwald Culturel and Empowerment Center" will house the technology job training lab, a drop-out prevention center, and a 200 seat auditorium for community use.
• Hamilton, Hamilton Rosenwald School: Community center, interpretive center, and a trail head center for the "Roanoke River Paddle Trail System."
• Press Release

South Carolina:

• Orangeburg, SC, Great Branch Teacherage: Center for senior citizen programs, visitor center, archival room, and community computers with internet access.
• Press Release

Tennessee:

• Pikeville, Lincoln School: Alumni and community events, and museum.
• Gallatin, Cairo Rosenwald School: Community Programs, homecoming celebrations and other special events.
• Press Release

Texas:

• Calvert, W.D. Spigner Elementary School: Elementary school and venue for community, family and social events.
• Linden, Pleasant Hill School: Venue for cultural events, recreational activities, community meetings, fundraisers and ceremonies.
• Press Release

Virginia:

• Scrabble, Scrabble School: Senior citizen center providing nutritional support, health screenings, and other sevicest to low-income seniors. Also serves as a heritage center to interpret and commemorate the education of African Americans in the region.
• Press Release

ABOUT THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America's stories. For more information visit www.preservationnation.org.

ABOUT LOWE'S

Lowe's is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country.  In 2007, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $25 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative.  Lowe's is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2006 sales of $46.9 billion and has more than 1,525 stores in the United States and Canada.  For more information, visit Lowes.com/community. 

• Email
• Share
• Print
• RSS
• Font: A / A+ / A++