History of Rosenwald Schools to be Honored | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     The Department of Cultural Resources will commemorate the legacy of what were known as "Rosenwald Schools" Thursday, February 20 at 7 p.m in the Walnut Building of Wayne Community College in Goldsboro.

    "Anyone with an interest in our state's African American history should seize this opportunity to learn about the Rosenwald Schools, 813 of which were located in North Carolina," said Governor Pat McCrory. "Their creation was a testament to the power of education, and there is no better way to honor Black History month than by taking advantage of one of the Department of Cultural Resources' events."

    Governor McCrory has proclaimed February Black History Month in North Carolina, encouraging citizens to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

    It is fitting, then, to commemorate this anniversary with a program devoted to the civil right of education. The schools, established in the early 20th century, were funded by public funds and private donations. The fund that philanthropist Julius Rosenwald created provided architectural plans and matching grants that helped build the more than 5,300 eponymous schools from Maryland to Texas between the late 1910s and 1932. North Carolina had more of these schools than any other state, providing educational opportunities for African American students throughout the South.

    Claudia Brown of the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office will give the presentation on the history of North Carolina's Rosenwald Schools. The program is sponsored by the Governor Charles B. Aycock Birthplace Advisory Committee.

    To learn more about the Rosenwald Schools, click here.

    View and download a copy of the proclamation here.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov