Princeton Graded School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Princeton Graded School
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![]() Facade
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Location | 601-611 W. Edwards St., Princeton, North Carolina |
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Area | 3.9 acres (1.6 ha) |
Built | 1925 | -1926
Architect | J.P. Rogers |
Architectural style | Rosenwald School |
NRHP reference No. | 05001139 |
Added to NRHP | October 4, 2005 |
The Princeton Graded School is an important historic building in Princeton, North Carolina. It was built a long time ago, between 1925 and 1926. This school is special because it was a Rosenwald school, which were schools built for African American children during a time when schools were separated by race.
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What Was the Princeton Graded School?
The Princeton Graded School was a school for African American students in Johnston County, North Carolina. It was built as part of a big project to create better schools for Black children in the Southern United States. These schools were called Rosenwald schools. They were named after Julius Rosenwald, who was the head of Sears, Roebuck and Company. He helped fund thousands of these schools.
A Special Kind of School
During the early 1900s, many schools for African American children in the South were not very good. They often lacked proper buildings, supplies, and teachers. Julius Rosenwald worked with Booker T. Washington, a famous educator, to build new, modern schools. The Princeton Graded School was one of these important schools. It provided a much better learning environment for its students.
What Does the School Building Look Like?
The Princeton Graded School building is made of brick and has an "H" shape. This design allowed for many classrooms and space for students to learn. It was built to have six teachers, which was a good number for a school at that time.
Building Features and Changes
Over the years, the school building had some additions. One part was added to include two bathrooms. Another section was built to hold the furnace, which kept the school warm. The building still has its original front porch. This porch has special posts that are designed in a style called "Doric order," which is a classic architectural look.
Other Things on the Property
Besides the main school building, there is also a small cemetery on the property. This cemetery was used between about 1934 and 1961. It has fewer than 20 visible grave markers. There is also an old septic tank from around 1950. The school itself stopped being used by 1973.
Why Is It a Historic Place?
The Princeton Graded School is recognized as an important historic site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. This means it is a place that is important to the history of the United States. Being on this list helps protect the building and reminds us of its role in education and civil rights history.