Mark in Texas History: Rosenwald Schools represent African American history in East Texas

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - In February, the Texas African American Museum revealed a new historical marker dedicated to schools that served Black youth in the segregated south. The museum is still working to keep these historic places alive.

Between 1912 and 1937, Julius Rosenwald helped fund over 5,000 schools across the segregated south.

“It had a hardwood floor, children moving around. It had a different sound to it, but it was a great school and a great time,” said George Martin, who attended a Rosenwald School in Cherokee County during the 1950s and early ‘60s.

There were 17 Rosenwald Schools in Smith County. Recently, the Texas African American Museum unveiled a new marker, dedicated to all the schools in the surrounding area.

“Our foreparents were in slavery, and they did not get an opportunity to get an education. It was important because Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington came together to create the Rosenwald School program.”

The museum hopes to continue its education on Rosenwald Schools, which includes learning more about physical locations that have largely been lost and finding those who have connections to the schools.

Many of these historic communities are still in existence, with churches, cemeteries, community centers and all the civic resources related to regular African American communities.

You can visit the new marker at the Texas African American Museum on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Tyler. The Tyler Public Library also currently has an exhibit on display for the Rosenwald Schools.