The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently announced the complete restoration of the first seven of 33 historic Rosenwald Schools made possible by $2 million in grants from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. The schools, which originally provided an education for African American students during racial segregation, will now serve as vital community centers in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation initially donated $1 million dollars for 17 Rosenwald Schools in 2008 to improve building safety, stabilize foundations and roofs, accommodate individuals with disabilities and preserve the landmarks for future generations. An additional $1 million was announced in January 2009 to restore 16 more schools.

The Walnut Cove Colored School, a Rosenwald School at 308 Brook Street, received part of this grant and is on the list for improvements.

Since 1912, Rosenwald Schools have served the heart of African American communities, providing a venue for educational and social outreach. A partnership between Julius Rosenwald and civil rights pioneer Booker T. Washington from 1912 to 1932 provided $4.7 million in community grants to build more than 5,300 schools, vocational shops and teachers’ homes. Individuals in the African American communities worked to raise funds to match Rosenwald and Washington’s initial contributions, creating a source of pride within the community.

After the Supreme Court banned racially segregated public schools in 1954, many Rosenwald Schools closed, and the once vibrant community centers fell victim to damage and disrepair.

The seven schools that underwent complete restorations are now safe, transformed community centers that will serve as senior facilities, meeting places, museums and even computer centers. As important symbols of race history in the United States, the preserved Rosenwald Schools will also be used to educate future generations.

“America’s story isn’t told only at famous landmarks like Independence Hall and the Alamo,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The Rosenwald schools represent an important chapter of that story, too, and we are enormously grateful to Lowe’s for helping us ensure that these special places continue to play an active role in the life of their communities.”

Only 10 to 12 percent of Rosenwald Schools still stand today, and many of the remaining schools are uninhabitable and in danger of collapse.

“The preservation efforts of the National Trust have enabled Rosenwald Schools to once again become vibrant, thriving community centers,” said Larry Stone, chairman of the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “By supporting rehabilitation of these significant landmarks, Lowe’s is helping protect and enhance places that make a difference in communities while preserving a piece of history for future generations.”

Lowe’s has partnered with the National Trust since 2005, donating a total of $4 million to fund additional preservation projects, including renovations to the Ellis Island Ferry Building, mechanical upgrades at abolitionist Harriet Tubman’s historic New York home, preservation of New Jersey’s Count Basie Theatre and restoration of the Beacon Hill meeting house in Boston, among many others.

Rosenwald Schools were named to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2002. A summary of restored Rosenwald Schools is provided below (the organizations listed are responsible for overseeing the restoration, daily operation and management of the schools). For more information about Rosenwald Schools, visit http://www.rosenwaldschools.org/.