Eleanor Roosevelt School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Eleanor Roosevelt School
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | 350 Parham Street, Warm Springs, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Fletcher B. Dresslar, Samuel L. Smith |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000019 |
| Added to NRHP | May 3, 2010 |
The Eleanor Roosevelt School was an important school for African American students in Warm Springs, Georgia. It was also known by other names, like the Eleanor Roosevelt Rosenwald School. This historic school taught students from March 18, 1937, until 1972. You can find it at 350 Parham Street in Warm Springs. Since May 3, 2010, the school has been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special place in history.
History
Building the School
The Eleanor Roosevelt School was built in 1936. Money for the school came from the Julius Rosenwald Fund. This fund helped build many schools for African American children in the Southern United States. Architects Samuel L. Smith and Fletcher B. Dresslar designed the building.
This school was the 5,358th Rosenwald School ever built. It was also the very last one. It was dedicated to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his ideas about education. The Julius Rosenwald Fund had actually stopped building schools in 1932. However, President Roosevelt personally made sure this school was built. He worked with Samuel L. Smith to make it happen.
President Roosevelt visited Georgia many times between 1924 and 1945. He came to get treatment for polio. Because of these visits, he became very close to the state and its leaders. In 1927, he even helped start the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation. Today, this is known as the Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center.
A School for Change
The Eleanor Roosevelt School officially opened on March 18, 1937. It was first created as a community school for Black students in rural areas. At that time, there was racial segregation in the United States. This meant Black and white students went to separate schools.
From 1937 until the mid-1960s, the school taught students from first to eighth grade. After the mid-1960s, it only taught elementary school students. The school closed in 1972. This happened because schools became integrated, meaning students of all races could attend together.
After closing as a school, the building was used for other purposes. From 1972 to 1975, it was an adult education center. Then, from 1975 to 1977, it became a day care center. In 1977, the building was sold to a private owner.
The National Register of Historic Places recognized the school as important for several reasons. It played a big part in African American education history. It also had a strong connection to President Roosevelt. Finally, it is a great example of the Rosenwald School building style. Its building plans were even published in a book called Community School Plans.
In 1940, the Eleanor Roosevelt School was honored at the American Negro Exposition in Chicago. Two of the 33 special displays there were about this school.
See also
