Rosenwald School historical marker unveiled in Tyler

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The East Texas Rosenwald School Project Historical Marker was unveiled within the North Tyler Historical Cultural Arts District on Saturday.

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The historical marker was unveiled by the Texas African American Museum and the Empowerment Community Development Corporation. The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, an American non-profit, donated the marker.

In the early 20th century, state-of-the-art schools were built for children in the South by Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington. According to the Texas Historical Commission, there were 17 Rosenwald School’s in Smith County, and approximately 466 Rosenwald school buildings in Texas.

Gloria Washington, Executive Director at the Texas African American Museum, said how important the unveiling of the historical marker is to help educate children.

“We want the community to come out, take a look at this marker and see what we have to offer here in the north Tyler Smith County area,” Washington said.

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Located at the Empowerment Community Development Complex on 309 West Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, the historical marker will commemorate the initiative to advance black education, a release said.

“The architecture of the schools was a tangible statement of the equality of all children, and their programming made them a focal point of community identity and aspirations,” ECDC said. “By 1928, one-third of the South’s rural black school children and teachers were served by Rosenwald Schools.”

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