National Trust for Historic Preservation, Lowe's Expand Efforts to Save African-American Landmarks with New Grants for Rosenwald Schools
Lowe's Funding Helping to Preserve More Than 40 Historic Schools
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The National Trust for Historic Preservation and Lowe's today announced
an additional eight Rosenwald Schools will be restored through their
joint initiative that has now provided grants to help preserve more than
40 of these endangered historic schools. Lowe's Charitable and
Educational Foundation awarded each of the eight schools a $40,000 grant
through the National Trust.
The brainchild of Booker T. Washington and philanthropist Julius
Rosenwald, the Rosenwald School Building Program greatly improved the
quality of public education for African-Americans in the early 20th
Century rural south. Today, only about 12 percent of these schools are
estimated to remain standing, with many in extreme levels of disrepair.
With help from Lowe's and the National Trust, the eight schools in
Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and
South Carolina once again will serve as vital community centers.
"Lowe's continued commitment to the Rosenwald Schools not only helps
ensure a critical piece of our American past is preserved, but that
these schools can gain second lives as gathering places for local
communities," said David Brown, acting president of the National Trust
for Historic Preservation.
Since 2006, Lowe's Foundation has donated $4.5 million to the National
Trust for Historic Preservation to preserve significant historic
properties across the country. The eight Rosenwald Schools are expected
to complete their Lowe's-funded restorations in 2011, the 100th
anniversary of the first meeting between Washington and Rosenwald. In
1912, Washington and Rosenwald piloted a rural school building program
for African-Americans in Alabama. Over the next 20 years, the Rosenwald
Fund used matching grants to help construct more than 5,300 schools and
related buildings in 15 southern and southwestern states. Court-ordered
school desegregation in the 1950s dictated that many Rosenwald Schools
be closed, and most of these historic buildings had been lost and
forgotten until recently.
"Preserving the places that are important to our communities has always
been important to Lowe's," said Larry D. Stone, chairman of Lowe'sCharitable and Educational Foundation. "Thanks to the National Trust's
sounding an alarm and rallying support, dozens of Rosenwald Schools have
been saved and, along with them, stories of sacrifice and success to
inspire and educate future generations."
For more information on Rosenwald Schools, please visit: www.preservationnation.org/rosenwald.
Rosenwald School locations and post-restoration uses:
-- Alabama:
o Hope Hull, Tankersley School. The building will be used for community
events, a local farm cooperative and administering senior services.
-- Georgia:
o Morven, Barney Colored Elementary School. The building will serve as a
multi-purpose center with a small library, training classes and
mentoring and tutoring programs.
-- Mississippi:
o Prentiss, Prentiss Institute Rosenwald School. The site will be used
as an African-American museum, resource library and community center.
-- North Carolina:
o Currie, Canetuck School. The building will expand senior services to
include fitness and health programs and also house continuing
education classes.
o Princeton, Princeton Graded School. The school will serve as a
community center offering educational programs and will double as
administrative offices for a nonprofit organization.
-- Tennessee:
o Bethpage, Durham'sChapel Rosenwald School. The facility will be
upgraded and continue its use as a multi-purpose community center for
weddings, tours, and club and lodge meetings.
-- Texas:
o Dayton, The Annie E. Colbert Rosenwald School. The building will host
community functions and serve as a historical museum.
-- South Carolina:
o Seneca, Seneca School. The building will continue to serve the
community as the Oconee Senior Center.
ABOUT LOWE'S
Lowe's is a proud supporter of the National Trust for Historic
Preservation, Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross,
SkillsUSA/Skills Canada and The Nature Conservancy, in addition to
numerous nonprofit organizations and programs that help communities in
North America. In 2009, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational
Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support
community and education projects in the United States, Canada and
Mexico. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes
program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe's is a
FORTUNE(R) 50 company with fiscal year 2009 sales of $47.2 billion and has
more than 1,700 stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. For more
information, visit Lowes.com/community.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.PreservationNation.org)
is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to
protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the
places where great moments from history - and the important moments of
everyday life - took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation
helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic
development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters
in Washington, DC, eight regional and field offices, 29 historic sites,
and partner organizations in 50 states, territories, and the District of
Columbia, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides
leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of
people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places,
connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of
America's stories.
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Source: Lowe's Companies, Inc.