Rosenwald Schools -- The History That You Should Know
by Sherri Holmes
During the Jim Crow era the African American community helped build Rosenwald schools across the South to ensure that their children received a quality education. Today, the legacy of these schools is fading from the memories as well as the landscape of our community. The buildings are on the list of America’s most endangered historical places. And yet, the Rosenwald Schools along with the teachers who led them are an important part of African American history.
In the early 1900’s, it was clear that America was unwilling to invest in the education of African American children. In communities that provided schools, the buildings were dilapidated and many teachers had little education. Booker T. Washington recognized the urgent need to address this issue. He reached out to Julius Rosenwald, President of Sears, Roebuck and Company who had recently joined the Board of Trustees of Tuskegee Institute. Rosenwald agreed to fund a 6 small schools in Alabama. Eventually, the program was expanded and helped to finance almost 5,300 schools, shops and teacher’s homes in 15 states.
The complete article is available in the June issue of Spectacular magazine. It is also posted on this website under "Articles" and "Cultural".
Overview of Rosenwald Schools in the Triangle, NC Region
Historic Russell School
Of the 18 Rosenwald schools that were built in Durham County, the Russell School is the only one that remains. It is located at 2001 Saint Mary's Road, Hillsborough, NC. Built in 1926, it continued to operate until its closure in 1945. While the school was open, hundreds of children were educated, bringing to fruition the vision and dedication of those who believed that high-quality education should be available to everyone. Today, the school is overseen by Friends of the Russell Rosenwald School. To watch a short video about the school, schedule a tour, volunteer or make a donation, go to www.historicrussellschool.org.
Of the 18 Rosenwald schools that were built in Durham County, the Russell School is the only one that remains. It is located at 2001 Saint Mary's Road, Hillsborough, NC. Built in 1926, it continued to operate until its closure in 1945. While the school was open, hundreds of children were educated, bringing to fruition the vision and dedication of those who believed that high-quality education should be available to everyone. Today, the school is overseen by Friends of the Russell Rosenwald School. To watch a short video about the school, schedule a tour, volunteer or make a donation, go to www.historicrussellschool.org.
Panther Branch School
The Panther Branch Rosenwald School, located at 9109 Sauls Road in Raleigh, NC was built in 1926 with funds from the Juluis Rosenwald Foundation, contributions from the local African-American community, and support from the Wake County School Board. The Panther Branch School is one of only five of the Rosenwald Schools remaining in Wake County. The JLBC Community Alliance, Inc with the assistance from the community has taken on the task of restoring this historic landmark.
The Panther Branch Rosenwald School, located at 9109 Sauls Road in Raleigh, NC was built in 1926 with funds from the Juluis Rosenwald Foundation, contributions from the local African-American community, and support from the Wake County School Board. The Panther Branch School is one of only five of the Rosenwald Schools remaining in Wake County. The JLBC Community Alliance, Inc with the assistance from the community has taken on the task of restoring this historic landmark.
Riley Hill School
Riley Hill School is a historic Rosenwald School building located at 5901 Riley Hill Roard in Wendell, NC, a town in eastern Wake County. It was built in 1928, and is a one-story, brick building with an "H"-shaped plan. The five-bay original section has a one-story porch with simple Doric order columns in the Colonial Revival style. The school closed its doors in 1970.
Riley Hill School is a historic Rosenwald School building located at 5901 Riley Hill Roard in Wendell, NC, a town in eastern Wake County. It was built in 1928, and is a one-story, brick building with an "H"-shaped plan. The five-bay original section has a one-story porch with simple Doric order columns in the Colonial Revival style. The school closed its doors in 1970.
St. Matthews School
St. Matthews School was built 1922 and is located at 5410 Louisburg Road, Raleigh, NC. St. Matthews School stands as a physical reminder of the strong, vital, historic African American community founded around the St. Matthews Baptist Church shortly after the Civil War. The one-story, frame building stands on a continuous concrete block foundation. The hip roof has exposed rafter ends. The building retains its weatherboarding and large, nine-over-nine sash windows arranged in a group of four on the front gable ell and in two groups of five on the rear elevation. The school has experienced some renovation; the building retains its original plan, form, siding, and windows and is clearly recognizable as a Rosenwald School.
St. Matthews School was built 1922 and is located at 5410 Louisburg Road, Raleigh, NC. St. Matthews School stands as a physical reminder of the strong, vital, historic African American community founded around the St. Matthews Baptist Church shortly after the Civil War. The one-story, frame building stands on a continuous concrete block foundation. The hip roof has exposed rafter ends. The building retains its weatherboarding and large, nine-over-nine sash windows arranged in a group of four on the front gable ell and in two groups of five on the rear elevation. The school has experienced some renovation; the building retains its original plan, form, siding, and windows and is clearly recognizable as a Rosenwald School.
Friendship School
The Friendship School is located at 7600 Humie Olive Road in Apex, NC. The school received a grant from Rosenwald circa 1923-1924, was of the two-teacher type. It was operated into the early 1950s and was then completely remodeled to serve as a private residence. It can be viewed from the street but is not open to the public.
The Friendship School is located at 7600 Humie Olive Road in Apex, NC. The school received a grant from Rosenwald circa 1923-1924, was of the two-teacher type. It was operated into the early 1950s and was then completely remodeled to serve as a private residence. It can be viewed from the street but is not open to the public.
W.E.B. DuBois School
The W.E.B. DuBois School opened in 1926 at 536 Franklin St in Wake Forest, NC. In 1939, it became the Wake Forest Colored High School and in 1971 was integrated and served as the campus of the Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School. When that school outgrew the facility and moved to its present location on South Main Street in 1989, the DuBois campus became vacant. For 10 years the campus was abandoned until the DuBois Alumni Association purchased it from the Wake County School System. The two oldest buildings are in such disrepair that they are falling down. The sixth and seventh grade buildings are boarded up but are in poor condition. The eighth grade and vocational buildings continue to deteriorate almost to a point beyond repair. The gym and shop buildings became community centers. Today the school is ruinous.
The W.E.B. DuBois School opened in 1926 at 536 Franklin St in Wake Forest, NC. In 1939, it became the Wake Forest Colored High School and in 1971 was integrated and served as the campus of the Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School. When that school outgrew the facility and moved to its present location on South Main Street in 1989, the DuBois campus became vacant. For 10 years the campus was abandoned until the DuBois Alumni Association purchased it from the Wake County School System. The two oldest buildings are in such disrepair that they are falling down. The sixth and seventh grade buildings are boarded up but are in poor condition. The eighth grade and vocational buildings continue to deteriorate almost to a point beyond repair. The gym and shop buildings became community centers. Today the school is ruinous.