'Rosenwald Schools' Lecture February 17 at Nabb Gallery

SALISBURY, MD---In 1912, the founding president of Tuskegee University and the president of Sears, Roebuck and Co. formed an unprecedented partnership that rocketed African-American education to new heights in the South.

Together, Booker T. Washington of Tuskegee and Julius Rosenwald of Sears created a series of buildings dubbed “Rosenwald Schools” in underserved African-American communities. These schools provided the foundation for education in many areas, including parts of the Eastern Shore.

On Wednesday, February 17, Salisbury University’s Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture presents the discussion “African-American Education: Rosenwald Schools” at 7 p.m. in the Nabb Center Gallery, 190 Wayne Ave. Moderated by historian Linda Duyer, topics include early segregated schools of the Delmarva Peninsula and efforts to preserve three former Rosenwald Schools in Wicomico County—San Domingo, Wetipquin and Germantown. Speakers are Newell Quinton, Ed Taylor and Barbara Purnell.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Rosenwald Schools to its list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places and formed the Rosenwald Schools Initiative, creating a task force for the preservation of these buildings. Through this initiative, the trust has established a national network of preservation activists, developed educational tools, and provided funding opportunities.

Admission to the discussion is free and the public is invited. For more information call 410-543-6312 or visit the Nabb Research Center Web site at http://nabbhistory.salisbury.edu.