Rosenwald School in Danger of Demolition

Union Hurst School is one of two Rosenwald schools in Bath County, Virginia. Union Hurst School is currently in poor condition and in danger of demolition unless a new owner with the necessary resources is interested in acquiring and rehabilitating it.



Union Hurst School

Rosenwald Schools were built primarily for the education of African-Americans in the early 20th century by Julius Rosenwald, an American clothier who became the president of Sears, Roebuck and Company.



Julius Rosenwald



 

The schools were built from Maryland to Texas using state-of-the-art architectural plans designed by professors at Tuskegee Institute.

To promote collaboration between white and black citizens, Rosenwald required communities to commit public funds to the schools, as well as to contribute additional cash donations. Black communities all over the south raised more than $4.7 million to aid in construction of the schools. Over 4,500 schools, 200 teachers' homes, and other buildings were constructed through the use of matching grants.

By 1932, the facilities could accommodate one-third of all African-American children in the South.

In 2002, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Rosenwald Schools near the top of the country's most endangered places and created a campaign to raise awareness and money for preservation. Rosenwald Schools were awarded National Treasure status in 2011.

For more information on helping save the Union Hurst Rosenwald School, contact Sonja Ingram at singram@preservationvirginia.org or 434-770-1209.