Development of Our
Rosenwald River Center
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Hamilton Rosenwald School Today |
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Hamilton Rosenwald School in 2007 |
RRP is working with
local and regional river communities to preserve the historic circa 1919
Hamilton Rosenwald School which will serve as a River/Visitor Center and an
interpretive site to tell the "Rosenwald Story."
We are excited to report that upon completion of this historic
renovation, this site will be re-purposed as: a river/community center;
an interpretive site to tell the Rosenwald story; and an economic
incubator to cultivate eco-tourism and cultural heritage initiatives
throughout the Roanoke River Region. Soon it will once again serve as a
vital hub in the community where it has survived for almost a century!
Since acquiring the Hamilton Rosenwald School in 2007, RRP has been
working with regional representatives to preserve this historic building
as well as its legacy.
To date, about 100 former students have been identified and added to our
Rosenwald database. Some have been interviewed in an effort to capture
their memories of this historic school.
On September 11, 2010,
a reunion was held at the Hamilton Fire Station
to bring folks interested in the project together. Over 100 people from
nine counties attended. Those in attendance included former Hamilton Rosenwald alums; alumni from other regional Rosenwald Schools; and a
host of regional folks interested in this exciting preservation project.
Among the related historical artifacts collected so far are: a desk bell
used by Edna Andrews~ a beloved teacher at the old school; a collector's
set of McGuffey Readers and a book from the Dick and Jane series a doll
in period dress; a recipe for school soup; a segment of 16 mm film from
1939; and some old school photographs. Additionally, some books which
contain information about the Hamilton School and others about Julius
Rosenwald have been gathered. Upon completion of this renovation, this
collection of cultural heritage treasures will be housed in our
Rosenwald River Center in Hamilton, N.C.
Get your copy today!
To buy a copy of our book,
Hamilton Rosenwald School Preservation Story:
Preserving the memories, the faces and the place, which contains an
overview of our project and our findings, or more information about this
historic preservation project, contact Carol Shields (Hamilton Rosenwald
Researcher) at (252) 826-5719 or cjshields@touchnc.net
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Hamilton Rosenwald River
Center Sponsors
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- The Lowe's
Charitable and Education
- Foundation
Preservation Fund
- The National
Trust for Historic Preservation
- The
Conservation Fund"s Resourceful Communities Program
- The
Covington Foundation
- Conservation
Trust for North Carolina
Mid-East RC&D Council
- Historic
Hamilton Commission
- The Town of
Hamilton
- A host of
generous private donors
- Our devoted
alumni and project volunteers
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RRP thanks the many
contributors of time, energy and money to this preservation project.
With your help we are breathing "new life" into this historic school and
with your continued support we will be able to open the doors of the
Hamilton Rosenwald School in time to celebrate its 100th anniversary in
2019!
Get your copy of the
Hamilton Rosenwald School
Preservation Story:
Preserving the memories,
the faces and the place.
For more information about this oral/written history project
contact Carol Shields
(252) 826-5719
cjshields@touchnc.net