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Dream of restoration becomes reality
Published October 9, 2009
In 1912, two men (Julius Rosenwald, CEO of Sears Roebuck and Booker T. Washington of Tuskegee University) had a dream: to make education available to black children in 15 southern states. Their dream was for “blacks and whites; rich and poor; farmers and bankers” to work together to raise part of the money and the Rosenwald Foundation would supply the rest of the money, the plans and supervision.
More than 5,300 Rosenwald schools were built in rural America with almost 550 in Texas. The Columbia Historical Museum Board knew one of these schools was sitting in a pasture being used as a hay barn and in pretty bad shape. Four schools were built in Brazoria County: the Columbia School (East Columbia); the West Columbia School (later named Charlie Brown after the millionaire ex-slave); the Burrell Chapel School and the Sandy Point School.
The museum board had the school authenticated and decided to save the school and turn it back into a one room school and use it as a children’s museum.
Rosenwald Schools were named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as Endangered Sites in 2002. Now the museum really wanted that hay barn. The owners agreed this part of history should be saved so they gave the school to the museum, but there was a problem. The museum had no money.
Money became available from the National Trust to determine if the school could be saved. When it was deemed salvageable, a Community Block Grant allowed the school to be moved, but there was still a problem — no place to put the school.
The City of West Columbia agreed the park behind the museum was a perfect place for such a rich part of history — but the problem was the same: no money and a foundation was needed.
Working with BASF, seven vendors doanted time and materials to survey, dig, tie steel and pour concrete. But, there still was no money, and after Sept. 11, 2001, grants were almost nonexistent, but the museum baord just kept working and money began to come in: The Sumalee Foundation, Meadows, Dow Chemical Foundation, The Facts and others. Soon the money was gone and the work was not finished. Funding had dried up again. Once again the National Trust cam to the resuce; this time, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation was working with them and the School received a large grant. The end was now in sight.
The dream became a reality once again and once again our community and our neighbors came together and restored the Columbia Rosenwald School, a piece of history that was almost lost. The Dedication and Grand Opening of this historic building will be Oct. 24, with a full day planned, including tours, music, entertainment, activities, food, ribbon cutting and program. Alumni will be recognized and honored.
Please come celebrate with us as we open the Columbia Rosenwald School, one of only 33 left in Texas. Visit our Web site ColumbiaRosenwaldSchool.com And thank you, one and all.
Naomi Antill Smith is a resident of West Columbia.
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