“R” is for Rosenwald Schools. In the early 20th century, schooling for southern blacks was neither well planned nor well supported. Julius T. Rosenwald, a Chicago merchant and philanthropist, made significant contributions to the education of southern blacks of the times through construction of school buildings. From 1913 to 1937, some 5,357 schools, shops, and teachers’ homes in fifteen states were built through Rosenwald’s funding. His gifts required matching local funding from black parents and local and state governments. In South Carolina, 450 Rosenwald schools were built. More than 74,00 students were educated in these buildings. Rosenwald school still standing in the 21st century are Mt. Zion Rosenwald School in Florence, Liberty Colored High School in Pickens County, and Walhalla Graded School in Walhalla—and all are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
“R” is for Rosenwald Schools
