The schoolhouse museum
The Schoolhouse Museum
History
During the 1920’s black schools were being built across the south after separate but equal laws were passed banning black children from going to school with whites.1 Julius Rosenwald, who was one of the original presidents of the Sears, Roebuck and company, donated $4.3 million dollars to black communities to help build schools for black students. Originally apart of the Christian Home schools, his schools would go on to be known as Rosenwald schools and more than 5,000 schools were able to be built in southern states. Over $4.7 million dollars was raised in black communities alone to help build schools for students. The Smithfield Schoolhouse museum was originally built on two acres of land in the Chuckatuck county of Isle of Wight, Virginia and was founded in 1924. It was a large one-room building consisting of several student desks, a chalkboard and a stove for heating purposes. The schoolhouse had two outhouses used for boys and girls and a school bell rang to signal the start of the day. The school went from grades first to seventh and received certificates when passing to the next grade. Ceremonies were held for graduating students which took place in seventh grade. Teachers were paid a salary of $45 dollars a month and kept with the up keeping of the school. Most students who went to school walked sometimes five to ten miles a day in inclement weather.2
Today
Because of the schools condition and renovation it has been moved to the Smithfield, Virginia area.3 Much of the original part of the school that was donated by Rosenwald has been remolded due to years of deterioration. The school was moved on February 4, 2005 in recognition of the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. The project, which was supported by the town and private organizations, has led to repairs of the school and renovations. The school opened to the public as a museum on May 19, 2007. It has been displayed to reenact a classroom during the late 1920s, with two statues used as students and one as a teacher. It also displays inside the schoolhouse pictures of some of the different schools from around the Isle of Wight area. On the schools website, visitors can click on different interviews that were taken by students who went to the school while it was in working order. The school opened to commemorate the demand of black schools in its communities and its drive for education among black children. It is opened for public viewings on the weekends.2
Stove in the School house Museum
1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separate_but_equal
2. www.theschoolhousemuseum.com
3.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithfield,_Virginia
