Marian Coleman, curator at the Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center in Cassville, Georgia, stands at the entrance of the former schoolhouse. It was a Rosenwald School, one of more than 5,000 built in the rural South to educate black children before schools were integrated. Money to build the schools came from Julius Rosenwald, the leader of Sears, Roebuck and Co., and matching funds from the community. Coleman was a student at the school before in closed in 1955.
Saving a Rosenwald school —
Marian Coleman, curator at the Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center in Cassville, Georgia, stands at the entrance of the former schoolhouse. It was a Rosenwald School, one of more than 5,000 built in the rural South to educate black children before schools were integrated. Money to build the schools came from Julius Rosenwald, the leader of Sears, Roebuck and Co., and matching funds from the community. Coleman was a student at the school before in closed in 1955.
David S. Holloway/CNN
The old Noble Hill school is now a museum of African-American culture. School groups, alumni and their families are still frequent visitors. But many Rosenwald schools were forgotten, demolished or fell into disrepair.
Saving a Rosenwald school —
The old Noble Hill school is now a museum of African-American culture. School groups, alumni and their families are still frequent visitors. But many Rosenwald schools were forgotten, demolished or fell into disrepair.
David S. Holloway/CNN
The Rosenwald school in Cassville, Georgia, was the first formal schoolhouse for African-Americans in the area. Before it was built, students were educated at home or church schools, if at all. The school opened in 1924, and closed in 1955.
Saving a Rosenwald school —
The Rosenwald school in Cassville, Georgia, was the first formal schoolhouse for African-Americans in the area. Before it was built, students were educated at home or church schools, if at all. The school opened in 1924, and closed in 1955.
David S. Holloway/CNN
Booker T. Washington, an educator and former slave, worked closely with Rosenwald to secure money for and launch rural schools throughout the South. "You need a schoolhouse," Washington told students at Tuskegee Institute, author Stephanie Deutsch wrote in a new book about the Rosenwald schools. "You cannot teach school in log cabins without doors, windows, lights, floor or apparatus. You need a schoolhouse, and, if you are earnest, the people will help you."
Saving a Rosenwald school —
Booker T. Washington, an educator and former slave, worked closely with Rosenwald to secure money for and launch rural schools throughout the South. "You need a schoolhouse," Washington told students at Tuskegee Institute, author Stephanie Deutsch wrote in a new book about the Rosenwald schools. "You cannot teach school in log cabins without doors, windows, lights, floor or apparatus. You need a schoolhouse, and, if you are earnest, the people will help you."
David S. Holloway/CNN
Author Stephanie Deutsch is married to a descendent of Julius Rosenwald, and recently published a book about the Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington and the schools they created: "You Need A Schoolhouse." She visited the Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center in March 2012.
Saving a Rosenwald school —
Author Stephanie Deutsch is married to a descendent of Julius Rosenwald, and recently published a book about the Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington and the schools they created: "You Need A Schoolhouse." She visited the Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center in March 2012.
David S. Holloway/CNN
Noble Hill alumna Susie Wheeler was among the first to suggest preserving the old schoolhouse in 1982. The alumni and community members raised more than $200,000 to rehabilitate the school, which had been used for storage since it closed decades earlier.
Saving a Rosenwald school —
Noble Hill alumna Susie Wheeler was among the first to suggest preserving the old schoolhouse in 1982. The alumni and community members raised more than $200,000 to rehabilitate the school, which had been used for storage since it closed decades earlier.
courtesy James R. Lockhart
The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, and opened as a museum in 1989. It's a classic Rosenwald School design, author Stephanie Deutsch said: Painted white with two classrooms, wood floors and big windows to let in light for children to read by.
Saving a Rosenwald school —
The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, and opened as a museum in 1989. It's a classic Rosenwald School design, author Stephanie Deutsch said: Painted white with two classrooms, wood floors and big windows to let in light for children to read by.
David S. Holloway/CNN
Coleman, the Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center curator, said they collect objects from community members that represent the lives of African-Americans in northwestern Georgia.
Saving a Rosenwald school —
Coleman, the Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center curator, said they collect objects from community members that represent the lives of African-Americans in northwestern Georgia.
David S. Holloway/CNN
"You Need A Schoolhouse" author Stephanie Deutsch and Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center curator Marian Coleman talked during a visit to the schoolhouse museum in March. It was one of several Rosenwald schools Deutsch visited since she began to research her book about the schools.
Saving a Rosenwald school —
"You Need A Schoolhouse" author Stephanie Deutsch and Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center curator Marian Coleman talked during a visit to the schoolhouse museum in March. It was one of several Rosenwald schools Deutsch visited since she began to research her book about the schools.
David S. Holloway/CNN