Julius Rosenwald & Rosenwald Schools Special Resource Study

Innovative and highly significant American philanthropist and the thousands of “Rosenwald Schools” he helped build between 1912 and 1932 had a key impact on the education of African American children in the South. The story of Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools is an important and inspirational one, reflecting the dignity of the human spirit and bearing on both Jewish American and African American history. Their contributions to our nation are worthy of recognition and preservation. A new National Historical Park consisting of some of these structures and telling these compelling stories would be an important enhancement to the National Park System.

Julius Rosenwald’s Life and Philanthropy and the Rosenwald Schools Program

Born in Springfield, IL, in 1862 to German Jewish immigrant parents, Rosenwald left high school before graduating to learn the clothing trade in New York, then moved to where he rose through the Midwest clothing manufacture industry to become part-owner of , Roebuck, & Company in 1895. He helped build the company into the merchandising powerhouse in the early 20th century. Already a dedicated philanthropist prior to meeting Booker T. Washington and joining the board of the Tuskegee Institute, Rosenwald followed Washington’s advice and helped fund a pilot program to build six schools for in rural Alabama. This led to the construction of over 5300 Rosenwald Schools and related buildings in 15 southern states funded jointly by Rosenwald, the local communities and local governments. By 1932, these schools were responsible for educating about one-third of African-American children in the South. Notable alumni include Rep. John Lewis and poet . About 500 of these buildings survive today. The Julius also provided fellowships to nearly 900 highly promising people, often at the start of their careers, including , Ralph Bunche, , Charles Drew, Jacob Lawrence, James Baldwin and Woody Guthrie. Rosenwald also helped many others in need, always investing in people. Julius Rosenwald, and the people in whom he invested, made a powerful contribution to our country.

The Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Study Act of 2019 (H.R. 3250 and S. 1863)

The Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2019 was introduced jointly in the House (H. R. 3250) by Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) and Senate (S. 1863) by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) on June 13, 2019. It would direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the sites associated with Rosenwald’s life and legacy, with a special focus on the Rosenwald Schools.

The study would specifically look at the suitability and feasibility of the sites for inclusion in a Park consisting of a visitor center in Chicago and a small but representative sample of Rosenwald schools to be selected by the National Park Service from among the 55 schools and one teacher home nominated to the Rosenwald Park Campaign by the State Historic Preservation Officers in 14 states. The study would be the key first step in passing legislation to establish the ultimate Park. Notably, this Park would be the first of the over 400 National Park units to honor a Jewish American.

The bills have bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Currently there are 43 cosponsors of H.R. 3250 and nine of S. 1863. They represent 19 States and the District of Columbia, which demonstrates the national support for the Act. Twenty four non-profit organizations representing a broad cross-section of our nation support the legislation. A hearing was held on H.R. 3250 on October 29, 2019, and the mark- up of the Bill was passed by unanimous consent by the House Natural Resources Committee on March 11, 2020. A hearing on S. 1863 took place on March 4, 2020.