NCSU: Voices of The Russell School. In September, 2024, the WeGOJA and Earth Design team visited NC State University to explore the extraordinary exhibit on the historic Russell Rosenwald School in Durham, NC. The exhibit showcases cutting-edge technology, including 3D scans, virtual tours, and immersive VR experiences, which left our team thoroughly impressed. Visitors can navigate the school through 360-degree images paired with alumni interviews, providing a vivid and captivating insight into its history and significance. The exhibit also highlights the broader Rosenwald Schools program, preserving the Russell School’s legacy in an engaging, interactive way across digital platforms. Our team was blown away by how the technology allowed us to fully experience the school without physically being there. The immersive quality made it feel as though we were stepping into the space, despite it being miles away. We wanted to see firsthand how these technological innovations could enhance the storytelling and visitor engagement in museum or digital environments. Some of these traveling exhibits offer exciting opportunities for the new South Carolina Rosenwald School network, helping to extend their reach and preserve history in a truly interactive and impactful way.
On March 20, 2024, we conducted our second visit to St. George as part of our ongoing study of the Rosenwald School and its impact on the community. Rotary Club Breakfast: Tripp Muldrow from the design team attended the St. George Rotary Club breakfast, where he introduced our study to the local business community. This event served as a vital platform for raising awareness and fostering connections among stakeholders. Community Engagement Meeting: In the afternoon, we held a community engagement meeting attended by key stakeholders, including board members from the Rosenwald School, county council representatives, Senator Stevens, and representatives from the Low Country Children’s Museum, along with engaged community members. The meeting was vibrant and productive, featuring lively discussions about the school’s upcoming programs, including a summer program for youth and the exciting opening of a satellite location for the Low Country Children’s Museum. Key Takeaways: The design team gained valuable insights into the community’s needs and the current utilization of the center. The input received during these discussions will play a crucial role in shaping our ongoing efforts and ensuring that our project aligns with the community’s vision and priorities. We appreciate the warm welcome from the St. George community and look forward to continuing our collaboration as we move forward with this important initiative. Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their perspectives!
On March 20, 2024, we hosted a lunch community engagement meeting focused on the Lincolnville Rosenwald School. This event was part of our ongoing efforts to connect with the local community and gather insights for our project.
Attendance and Welcome: We were warmly welcomed by Dr. Seele, the Town of Lincolnville Mayor, along with alumni from the Lincolnville Rosenwald School and engaged community members. Their enthusiasm highlighted the importance of this initiative.
Key Takeaways:
1. Community Pride: Participants shared what they love most about Lincolnville, emphasizing the strong sense of community, rich history, and the shared commitment to preserving the legacy of the Rosenwald School. Many expressed pride in their cultural heritage and the close-knit relationships within the town.
2. Memories of the School: Alumni recounted fond memories of their time at the Rosenwald School, highlighting the impact it had on their education and personal development. Stories of cherished teachers, community events, and lifelong friendships created a warm atmosphere, reminding everyone of the school’s integral role in their lives.
3. Current Challenges: Attendees also discussed several issues facing the community today. A significant concern raised was the recent loss of their zip code, which has been changed to a Summerville address, despite Lincolnville remaining an incorporated town. This change has created confusion and concern among residents regarding their identity and access to services.
4. Community Issues: Other challenges included a need for improved infrastructure, access to resources, and ongoing support for local programs. Participants expressed a desire for the Rosenwald School to become a hub for community engagement and services that address these needs.
Next Steps: The insights gathered from this meeting will be crucial in shaping our plans for the Lincolnville Rosenwald School. We are dedicated to ensuring that our project reflects the community’s needs and aspirations. We sincerely thank everyone who joined us for their invaluable contributions and support. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the Lincolnville community as we work together to honor and enhance the legacy of the Rosenwald School.
Tripp Muldrow outlines the timeline for the RSTS Study.
The Earth Design team traveled to the rural community of Pomaria in Newberry County, SC on its initial site visit to The Hope Rosenwald School. Built in 1925-26 at a cost of $2,900, this restored educational institution symbolizes a pivotal era in African-American education, funded partially by the Julius Rosenwald Foundation between 1917 and 1932. Its establishment on a two-acre lot donated by James H. Hope, Mary Hope Hipp, and John J. Hope reflects the communal dedication to education. Ms. Tenetha Hall has worked tirelessly with local alumni to preserve the school. She met the team to give a thorough tour of the restored school that is now used as a community meeting center.
The school has a two-room layout typical of rural Rosenwald schools in rural areas. The loving restoration appropriately embodies the resilience of African-American communities amidst segregation’s challenges.
Today, The Hope Rosenwald School stands as a proud testament to heritage and community unity, providing a space for gatherings, education, and commemoration within rural Newberry County. It is also represented in the Rosenwald School display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Earth Design, alongside Dr. Val Littlefield and the WeGOJA Foundation recently conducted a visit to the historic Mt. Zion Rosenwald School in Florence, SC, located within the Mars Bluff Community. The team was met by Mr. Terry James and Mr. Frank Cooper. Constructed in 1925, this school holds significant historical importance as the first public school for African American students in the area, funded in part by the Julius Rosenwald Foundation. Its architectural design, featuring a standard two-classroom plan typical of rural schools built between 1917 and 1932, showcases the foundation’s commitment to providing education opportunities for African American communities across the South that were starved of public funds for education during Jim Crow. Operated on a four- or five-month calendar, with two or three teachers instructing grades 1-6, Mt. Zion Rosenwald School served as a beacon of learning until its closure in 1952.
Despite being unrenovated, the school’s frame structure remains intact, and interiors remain largely intact with chalk writing still on the boards. This unvarnished look at the school provided a profound tangible connection to a pivotal era in South Carolina’s educational history. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, the school stands as a reminder of the Julius Rosenwald Fund’s dedication and the local African American community’s commitment to improving black education in the early to mid-twentieth century.
Rosa Kennerly-Dance is the point of contact for the Great Branch Rosenwald School (1918) and Teacherage (1923). Her passion and commitment is infectious. Earth Design, Inc. Master Planners, Oral Historian, Dr. Valinda Littlefield, and WeGOJA learned quickly that the extensive development of the Rosenwald School site was a community initiative led by alumni, family members, and the local government. The site has original architectural details and and an extensive archive of images of students and events at the school. Articles documenting the renovation of the Great Branch Teacherage are showcased on the walls and in period display cases.
Students, Dorothy Pough Jackson and Delona Jamison Kindell, attended the school until 1954. While the original school burned down in the early 60’s, their memories are vivid from walking to school to eating soup and peanut butter for lunch. Both students stressed that the dedicated educators, distinguished principals, and the Black community ensured students were afforded the best education possible in a time when resources were limited.
