Burritt Museum to Host Exhibit on Alabama’s Rosenwald Schools

Burritt Museum to Host Exhibit on Alabama’s Rosenwald Schools in Spring 2025

The Burritt Mansion in Huntsville, Alabama, is set to showcase an exhibit titled “History Lives On: Preserving Alabama’s Rosenwald Schools” starting January 28, 2025, and running through May. This significant exhibit, on loan from Auburn University’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction, will highlight the crucial role local communities played in supporting educational initiatives related to Rosenwald Schools.

This exhibit also represents a collaboration with the Alabama Department of Archives to conduct in-depth research on the partnership between Julius Rosenwald, a businessman and philanthropist, and Booker T. Washington, a prominent African American educator, who together sought to improve the educational opportunities for Black children in the rural South.

Focus and Significance of the Exhibit

The exhibit will focus on the funding and support provided by local communities that made the construction of these schools possible. The Rosenwald School Program established over 5,000 schools across 15 states, benefiting around 600,000 students by 1932. This initiative specifically aimed to enhance education for rural African American children by providing basic education in clean environments, along with industrial and home economics courses.

Visiting Information

General admission to the Burritt Mansion, where visitors can access the exhibit, will be priced at $12 for adults, $8 for children and students, and $10 for seniors (60+) and military personnel. Children aged 2 and under and Burritt Members will enjoy free admission. The mansion will operate Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm through March, extending hours to 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays and remaining 12 pm to 5 pm on Sundays in April and May. More information about the exhibit, including donation opportunities, can be found on the Burritt on the Mountain’s website.

Community Efforts and the Legacy of Rosenwald Schools

The Pickensville Rosenwald School, one of the few surviving Rosenwald Schools in Alabama, exemplifies community effort in preservation. Originally built in 1925, the school’s restoration involved about $300,000 raised by alumni and community members after its closure in 1969. It now serves as a local museum honoring the contributions of early Black educators and their students.

Across Alabama, only approximately 15 Rosenwald schools remain recognized today. Historical markers are being erected to celebrate the impactful contributions of these schools to local communities and education. There is a growing interest nationwide to preserve Rosenwald Schools due to their significant role in the history of Black education.

Context of Educational Inequality

The ongoing efforts to restore and recognize these schools underscore Alabama’s historical challenges regarding equitable education. Many former students and historians advocate for increased recognition of historically Black schools. The legacy of Rosenwald Schools is notable for producing leaders who played significant roles in the Civil Rights Movement.

The preservation of these institutions is vital in maintaining awareness of the educational inequalities and systemic racism that have historically affected African American communities in the United States. Through initiatives like this exhibit, the Burritt Mansion aims not only to educate visitors about the importance of these schools but also to highlight the current challenges faced in achieving educational equity for all.