[Day-Trip] Visit Historic Russell School: Historical Landmark Of Black Education In South
Durham, NC – The Historic Russell School is one of the 17 Rosenwald Schools that were built in Durham during the early 20th-century to provide education to Black children when Jim Crow laws denied them access to formal education. It’s located at 2001 Saint Marys Road in Hillsborough (NC) but is considered to be in Durham because it sits right on the border of Durham and Orange counties. Built in 1926, The Historic Russell School is the only Rosenwald School that remains standing in Durham after its closure in 1945.
Over the years, contributions from the Rosenwald Fund, Cain’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (Durham), The Friends of the Rosenwald School, and the community have helped the Historic Russell School to reopen and operate as a historic site. The site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places: Landmarks and Historical Buildings. (Tour information provided below)
In 1913 Julius Rosenwald, a Jewish immigrant and president of Sears, Roebuck & Co., became interested in improving rural Black schools in the South while serving on the board of Booker T. Washington’s Tuskegee Institute. He created the Rosenwald Fund and started giving funds to Booker T. Washington to improve schools in Alabama. In 1917, Rosenwald incorporated the Rosenwald Fund, which provided grants, coupled with monies raised by Washington from the African American community, to build schools throughout the South. Together, Washington and Rosenwald built over 5,300 schools in fifteen states.
Phyllis Mack Horton, a member of the School’s Board of Directors explains, “Our ancestors did an excellent job in keeping the school neat and tidy because they wanted the Rosenwald School to be around forever for our young people.”
Despite the school currently operating as a historic site, that doesn’t stop the positive and warm effect that this place has on others. According to Horton “one can feel the gentle presence [of our ancestors] when you walk in the school, It’s a breath of fresh air to see how hard our ancestors worked to preserve this place.”
The two-room school was designed for two teachers. It consists of hardwood floors, high windows, two cloakrooms, and a small kitchen facing the front of the building. Until this day, the school’s original chalkboards and some desks still survive. “It is really important, especially for our young people to come and visit this place because It will remind them how far our ancestors had to overcome for educational privileges.” The Historic Russell School gives the younger generations a glimpse into the past.
The Board of Directors of the Historic Russell School has many restoration projects planned to include the restoration of the original wooden steps, new kitchen appliances, restore the hardwood floors, and more.
The Friends of the Rosenwald School have launched the ‘Buy-a-Chair’ campaign, patterned after one of the first efforts to restore Historic Russell School in 1946. That campaign was orchestrated by John Mack, an active community leader, and four others to raise funds to restore and maintain the Historic Russell School, as well as to provide recreational and educational activities for the community. Many individuals and businesses contributed to the fundraiser by purchasing metal and wooden folding chairs (most still present in the Historic Russell School) for $3.50. The purchasers’ name was written on the back of the chair.
The public is invited to support the Historic Russell School by purchasing a “virtual” chair in the amount of $90.00 for individuals and $350.00 for corporations. Your name and/or corporation will be immortalized in the Historic Russell School on a plaque and on their virtual wall.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Historic Russell School is still offering tours of this historical landmark and accepting donations to keep the school operating. Tours can be scheduled at any time of the year by appointment. They are happy to work with schools and other organizations to provide guided tours of the historic school. During the months of April – September, they offer regular tours on the second Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Tours are free and open to the public. Donations are accepted. They are working to become ADA-friendly and apologize for any inconvenience.
For more information about the Russell Historic School, please visit their website historicrussellschool.org
Mining crypto is hard. Investing in crypto is risky. Too many of us are left out of the cryptocurrency revolution. Pi makes crypto mining easy, our Breakthrough tech allows you to mine on your phone without draining your battery.
I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also visit
this weblog on regular basis to obtain updated from most
up-to-date news update. asmr 0mniartist
What’s up mates, pleasant post and fastidious urging commented here, I
am genuinely enjoying by these. asmr 0mniartist
This is the right webpage for anybody who wishes to understand
this topic. You know a whole lot its almost hard to argue
with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject that has been written about for many years.
Wonderful stuff, just excellent! asmr 0mniartist
I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and coverage!
Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.
0mniartist asmr
Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I
guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new
to everything. Do you have any points for novice blog writers?
I’d certainly appreciate it.
I think the admin of this website is really working hard in support of his site,
since here every material is quality based material.
Hello, yup this post is actually fastidious and I have learned lot of things from it
regarding blogging. thanks.
I’m now not positive where you’re getting your information, but great
topic. I needs to spend some time studying more or figuring out more.
Thank you for fantastic info I was on the lookout for this information for my mission.
Wow, superb blog structure! How lengthy have you been running a
blog for? you made running a blog glance easy. The overall look of
your web site is great, as smartly as the content material!
Aw, this was a very good post. Finding the time and actual effort to
make a really good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t manage to
get nearly anything done.
Wonderful article! That is the kind of info that are meant to
be shared around the net. Disgrace on the seek engines for now not positioning this
post higher! Come on over and talk over with my site
. Thank you =)
Hey there exceptional website! Does running a blog such as this require a massive
amount work? I have very little understanding of programming but I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow, if you have any recommendations
or tips for new blog owners please share.
I understand this is off topic however I simply wanted to ask.
Kudos!
I’ve been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all
site owners and bloggers made good content as
you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.