Rosenwald Schools The Advancement of Black Schools in the South (1917 – 1932)

Rosenwald SchoolsRosenwald Schools

The Advancement of Black The Advancement of Black Schools in the South Schools in the South

(1917 – 1932)(1917 – 1932)

Background Background InformationInformation

In the 1800s, most schools in Virginia In the 1800s, most schools in Virginia were either private institutions, or were either private institutions, or sponsored by a religious organization. sponsored by a religious organization.

As a result, education was not As a result, education was not available to most Virginian children – available to most Virginian children – especially African American children. especially African American children. * *


In 1869, the new In 1869, the new Virginian constitution Virginian constitution established the idea established the idea of of universaluniversal public public education. * education. *

Public education may have been Public education may have been universal - to now include all universal - to now include all children in the state of Virginia – children in the state of Virginia – but it was also but it was also segregatedsegregated..


During Reconstruction, former During Reconstruction, former slaves actively pursued education slaves actively pursued education – viewing education & literacy as – viewing education & literacy as a path to liberation & freedom.a path to liberation & freedom.

Unfortunately, the schools for Unfortunately, the schools for African American children proved African American children proved to be sub – standard to white to be sub – standard to white schools.* schools.*


Separate and unequal: On the left: a white school in Winchester, Virginia, in 1921. On the right a school for blacks in Brunswick County, Virginia, also in the early 20th. The dismal state of African American schools led Julius Rosenwald to provide funds for new buildings throughout the rural South.(Jackson Davis Collection, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library)


By using both private & available By using both private & available public funds, the Rosenwald Fund public funds, the Rosenwald Fund (founded 1917) looked to improve (founded 1917) looked to improve the education & lives of African the education & lives of African Americans in the South, by aiding Americans in the South, by aiding all levels of education from grade all levels of education from grade school to university. *school to university. *

Julius RosenwaldJulius Rosenwald

Julius Rosenwald Julius Rosenwald (August 12, 1862 – (August 12, 1862 – January 6, 1932) January 6, 1932) was born to a Jewish was born to a Jewish immigrant family from immigrant family from Germany. Germany.

Julius was born & raised just a few Julius was born & raised just a few blocks from Abraham Lincoln’s blocks from Abraham Lincoln’s residency in Springfield, Illinois residency in Springfield, Illinois during Lincoln’s presidency.* during Lincoln’s presidency.*


Julius Rosenwald was Julius Rosenwald was a US manufacturer, a US manufacturer, business executive, business executive, and and philanthropistphilanthropist. .

He is best known as a He is best known as a part-owner and President part-owner and President of Sears, Roebuck & Co, of Sears, Roebuck & Co, and for the Rosenwald Fund, and for the Rosenwald Fund, which donated millions to support which donated millions to support the education of African the education of African Americans.*Americans.*


During the late 1800s to early During the late 1800s to early 1900s, there were many social 1900s, there were many social struggles in the US being struggles in the US being addressed by the Progressive addressed by the Progressive Movement. Movement.

Rosenwald, too, was concerned Rosenwald, too, was concerned with America’s social situation, with America’s social situation, and he believed the struggle of and he believed the struggle of African Americans was the most African Americans was the most serious.*serious.*


In Rosenwald’s words:In Rosenwald’s words:

TThe horrors that are due to race he horrors that are due to race prejudice come home to the Jew more prejudice come home to the Jew more forcefully than to others of the white forcefully than to others of the white race, on account of centuries of race, on account of centuries of persecution which they have suffered & persecution which they have suffered & still suffer.still suffer.

-1911-1911


In 1912, Julius Rosenwald In 1912, Julius Rosenwald was introduced to Booker was introduced to Booker T. Washington, who T. Washington, who promoted better promoted better educational opportunities educational opportunities for African Americans.* for African Americans.*

Julius Rosenberg & Booker T. Washington


Washington asked Rosenwald to Washington asked Rosenwald to serve on the Board of Directors of serve on the Board of Directors of the Tuskegee Institute in 1912. the Tuskegee Institute in 1912.

Rosenwald served on the Board Rosenwald served on the Board for the remainder of his life for the remainder of his life (1932). (1932).

Aerial View of the Tuskegee Institute

Julius Rosenwald Julius Rosenwald

Washington encouraged Julius to Washington encouraged Julius to address the poor state of African address the poor state of African American education in the US. American education in the US.

He first did so by providing money, He first did so by providing money, in 1913, to build 6 small schools in in 1913, to build 6 small schools in rural Alabama which were overseen rural Alabama which were overseen by the Tuskegee Institute. The by the Tuskegee Institute. The schools were opened in 1914. schools were opened in 1914.

Rosenwald FundRosenwald Fund

Several shortcomings in black Several shortcomings in black education in the South were quickly education in the South were quickly identified by the Rosenwald Fund:identified by the Rosenwald Fund:– a lack of adequately paid and trained a lack of adequately paid and trained

teachers; teachers; – there were no High Schools for black there were no High Schools for black

students; students; – schools for rural blacks were only schools for rural blacks were only

open 4 months a year; open 4 months a year;


The biggest shortcoming The biggest shortcoming identified:identified:– the poor condition of most African the poor condition of most African

American elementary school American elementary school facilities.facilities.


During this time of racial During this time of racial segregation, white school boards segregation, white school boards often took money that was meant often took money that was meant to go to black schools, and to go to black schools, and distributed them elsewhere. distributed them elsewhere.

Thus, leaving little to no funding Thus, leaving little to no funding for black schools.for black schools.


The Rosenwald Fund promoted The Rosenwald Fund promoted cooperation between blacks and cooperation between blacks and whites at a time when racial whites at a time when racial segregation was a way of life.segregation was a way of life.

To receive funding, a community To receive funding, a community had to commit public funds to the had to commit public funds to the school, as well as, individual cash school, as well as, individual cash donations.*donations.*http://rosenwald.fisk.edu/?

module=search.details&set_v=aWQ9NDY5Mg==&school_county=Albemarle&school_state=VA&button=Search&o=0


Also, in order to receive funds, Also, in order to receive funds, mandatory construction mandatory construction standards had to be followed.standards had to be followed.

All schools were built according to All schools were built according to standardized designs published standardized designs published by the Rosenwald Fund. *by the Rosenwald Fund. *

http://www.rosenwaldplans.org/Schhttp://www.rosenwaldplans.org/SchoolPlans.htmloolPlans.html

Architectural Design of Architectural Design of Rosenwald Schools Rosenwald Schools

These models, These models, (which were (which were similar to house similar to house kits sold by Sears), kits sold by Sears), were carefully were carefully designed to produce designed to produce a healthy learning a healthy learning environment.environment.

House kit sold by Sears Catalog 1918

Architectural Design of Architectural Design of Rosenwald SchoolsRosenwald Schools

The schools provided adequate The schools provided adequate lighting, ventilation, separate lighting, ventilation, separate outhouses, coatroom, and quality outhouses, coatroom, and quality blackboards and desks.blackboards and desks.

http://www.rosenwaldplans.org/SchoolPlans/Specs/Specs.htm


There were plans for schools that There were plans for schools that ranged in size from 1 to 7 ranged in size from 1 to 7 teachers.teachers.

One Teacher School Plan Seven Teacher School Plan


There were separate designs for There were separate designs for schools that faced east or west, schools that faced east or west, and those that faced north or and those that faced north or south.south.

East or West Facing DesignNorth or South Facing Design


The most recognizable The most recognizable architectural feature of architectural feature of Rosenwald schools were large Rosenwald schools were large banks of windows.*banks of windows.*


This was an important feature in This was an important feature in an era when few rural schools had an era when few rural schools had access to electricity.access to electricity.


The plans for the schools also The plans for the schools also specified room size and height, specified room size and height, blackboard and desk placement, blackboard and desk placement, paint colors, and window shades, paint colors, and window shades, all in order to make the most of all in order to make the most of available light. available light.

http://www.rosenwaldplans.org/SchoolPlans/Lighting/Lighting.htm


The plans also specified that the The plans also specified that the windows be placed so that the windows be placed so that the light came only from the light came only from the students’ left.*students’ left.*


The architectural The architectural features of the features of the Rosenwald Rosenwald Schools greatly Schools greatly improved the improved the quality of quality of schools for schools for African African Americans in the Americans in the South.* South.*


By 1932, the Rosenwald Fund had By 1932, the Rosenwald Fund had produced 4,977 new schools, 217 produced 4,977 new schools, 217 teacher homes, 163 shop teacher homes, 163 shop buildings at a total cost of buildings at a total cost of $28,408, 520. $28,408, 520.

Today, that would be Today, that would be approximately $280,500,000. approximately $280,500,000.


Rosenwald Schools served 663,625 Rosenwald Schools served 663,625 students, in 883 counties, in 15 students, in 883 counties, in 15 states.*states.*

Rosenwald Schools Rosenwald Schools

In Virginia, 371 schools were In Virginia, 371 schools were constructed. constructed.

All counties in Virginia, (except All counties in Virginia, (except the 4 counties in the Appalachian the 4 counties in the Appalachian region), had at least one region), had at least one Rosenwald School.* Rosenwald School.*


Virginia County Map of Rosenwald Schools


Between 1921 – 1926, seven Rosenwald Between 1921 – 1926, seven Rosenwald Schools were built in Albemarle County.Schools were built in Albemarle County.

The St. John’s School The St. John’s School in Cobham, Virginia in Cobham, Virginia was was built in 1922 for built in 1922 for the cost of $2,500. the cost of $2,500.

Click here to see information about the 7 Click here to see information about the 7 Albemarle County schools: Albemarle County schools:

http://rosenwald.fisk.edu/http://rosenwald.fisk.edu/

Rosenwald Schools Rosenwald Schools TodayToday Many Rosenwald Schools remained Many Rosenwald Schools remained

open until open until Brown v. Board of Brown v. Board of EducationEducation (1954) banned racially (1954) banned racially segregated public schools.*segregated public schools.*

Prior to them closing, Rosenwald Prior to them closing, Rosenwald Schools served generations of Schools served generations of teachers, students, parents, and teachers, students, parents, and the communities in general.the communities in general.

Rosenwald Schools Rosenwald Schools TodayToday

Today, many of the Rosenwald Today, many of the Rosenwald Schools are either gone, or in a Schools are either gone, or in a horrible state of disrepair. horrible state of disrepair.

Exterior & Interior Photos of Siloam Schoolhouse, Charlotte, NC


In 2002, The National Trust for In 2002, The National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the Historic Preservation placed the Rosenwald Schools on its list of Rosenwald Schools on its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Historic Places.

http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/southern-region/rosenwald-schools/


Only 10 to 12 % of Rosenwald Only 10 to 12 % of Rosenwald Schools are still standing, and Schools are still standing, and many of the remaining schools many of the remaining schools are not safe & in danger of are not safe & in danger of collapse. collapse.

Efforts are being made in hopes Efforts are being made in hopes of preserving these historic of preserving these historic buildings. buildings.


Today, of the seven schools built Today, of the seven schools built in Albemarle County, one is used in Albemarle County, one is used as a house, for storage, and one, as a house, for storage, and one, the St. John's School, is currently the St. John's School, is currently under construction to be re-used under construction to be re-used as a nursery or Sunday School. as a nursery or Sunday School.

Two of the schools are gone, and Two of the schools are gone, and for a third school, the only for a third school, the only remaining feature is an outhouse. remaining feature is an outhouse.


One Virginian success story is the One Virginian success story is the Scrabble School in Rappahannock Scrabble School in Rappahannock County.County.

Total restoration was required in Total restoration was required in order for it to reopen as the order for it to reopen as the county’s Senior Citizen Center in county’s Senior Citizen Center in May 2009. May 2009.

Before this, the building was in Before this, the building was in poor shape, hidden by overgrown poor shape, hidden by overgrown brush, and used as a dumping brush, and used as a dumping ground by local residents.ground by local residents.


The Scrabble School before Renovation


The Scrabble School at Its Rededication, May 2009

Rosenwald Schools in Rosenwald Schools in VirginiaVirginia

To check Rosenwald Schools in To check Rosenwald Schools in your county click here: your county click here:

http://rosenwald.fisk.edu/http://rosenwald.fisk.edu/


SourcesSources Sources:Sources:

Narrative by Garth Anderson, Lily Fox-Bruguiere & Narrative by Garth Anderson, Lily Fox-Bruguiere & Laura Voisin George, April 2009Laura Voisin George, April 2009

Fisk University – Rosenwald Data Base Fisk University – Rosenwald Data Base http://rosenwald.fisk.edu/ http://rosenwald.fisk.edu/?http://rosenwald.fisk.edu/ http://rosenwald.fisk.edu/?module=search.details&set_v=aWQ9NDY5Mg==&schmodule=search.details&set_v=aWQ9NDY5Mg==&school_county=Albemarle&school_state=VA&button=Seaool_county=Albemarle&school_state=VA&button=Search&o=0rch&o=0

Virginia Center for Digital History - Virginia Center for Digital History - http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/schools/index.htmlhttp://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/schools/index.html



Library of Virginia Library of Virginia http://www2.lib.virginia.edu/small/collections/jdavis/jdshttp://www2.lib.virginia.edu/small/collections/jdavis/jdsearch.htmlearch.html

National Trust for Historic Preservation National Trust for Historic Preservation

http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sitehttp://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/southern-region/rosenwald-schools/history/s/southern-region/rosenwald-schools/history/

The New Georgia Encyclopedia The New Georgia Encyclopedia http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1113id=h-1113



Rosenwald Schools - Beacons for Black Education in Rosenwald Schools - Beacons for Black Education in the American Souththe American South

http://www.rosenwaldplans.org/SchoolPlans.htmlhttp://www.rosenwaldplans.org/SchoolPlans.html

http://www.rosenwaldplans.org/SchoolPlans/Specs/http://www.rosenwaldplans.org/SchoolPlans/Specs/

Specs.htmSpecs.htm

http://www.rosenwaldplans.org/SchoolPlans/Lighting/http://www.rosenwaldplans.org/SchoolPlans/Lighting/Lighting.htmLighting.htm

Documents

Rosenwald Schools The Advancement of Black Schools in the South (1917 – 1932)