Persistence, Purpose, and Preservation: Rosenwald Schools in Anne Arundel County

The program will introduce this County-wide Rosenwald School history project, provide an overview of the history and legacy of Rosenwald Schools, and share information about how the public can get involved.

The project will result in a documentary film that is set to premiere in 2023. The film will include oral interviews with former students, teachers and school staff; former administrators; civil rights activists, landowners, and community members with connections to the twenty-three Rosenwald schools built in Anne Arundel County between 1921 and 1932.

Rosenwald schools were established to educate African American children during the Jim Crow era.  In 1912, businessman and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, part-owner and leader of Sears, Roebuck and Co., connected with Booker T. Washington to assist in funding a program in line with Washington’s belief of self-help for African American southerners that emphasized economic advancement through vocational education. Together they joined with African American communities in the South, including the State of Maryland, to build schools during the early part of the 20th century.

This project is funded with grants from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, Maryland Humanities, and Anne Arundel County Arts and Cultural Resources.

The online program will be available live on the Galesville Community Center Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GalesvilleCommunityCenter.