Uncrowned Queens Continues Work to Preserve Rosenwald School in Lima, Oklahoma

In 1917, Julius Rosenwald, President of Sears, Roebuck and Company, initiated a school building program that was to have a dramatic impact on the face of the rural South and in the lives of its African-American residents. Through the Julius Rosenwald Foundation, more than 5300 schools, shop buildings and teachers houses were built by, and for, African-Americans across the South and Southwest until the program was discontinued in 1932. The Rosenwald School program has been called the “most influential philanthropic force that came to the aid of Negroes at that time.” In all, the Rosenwald Foundation contributed more than $4.3 million to construct schools across the regions, and more than $4.7 million was raised by African Americans to build the schools. Today many of these Rosenwald schools are gone, victims of changing times and communities. However, interest in the history of the schools and the preservation of the surviving structures has been growing throughout the region, fueled largely by former students and teachers.

The State of Oklahoma has some of the most historic Rosenwald Schools in the nation, particularly Rosenwald Hall in Lima, Oklahoma the last remaining Rosenwald School in one of Oklahoma’s historic All Black Towns.  In 2006, Uncrowned Queen, Mayor Tammie Hill of Lima, Oklahoma shared a photo of the Lima Rosenwald school and it was in a serious state of disrepair.  The Uncrowned Queens Institute joined the National Historic Trust Forum and worked with Mayor Hill to submit a matching share grant to the National Historic Trust to complete a much needed architectural assessment.  The matching share grant was awarded to Uncrowned Queens Institute and the assessment was completed.  In December the Uncrowned Queens worked with the Town of Lima to submit a preservation grant to the Loew’s Charitable Fund requesting funds to restore the roof of the historic Rosenwald Hall.  Awards will be announced in January 2008. The Uncrowned Queens Institute is especially interested in the preservation of Rosenwald Schools because of the role of African American women and men in providing the matching share funds to build these schools in predominately rural areas.  We will keep you informed on the progress.