The Rosenwald Fund and the Hiram Rosenwald School

In 1912, a monumental development took shape in the South that would forever transform the landscape of African American education.

Julius Rosenwald, the visionary president of Sears, Roebuck and Company, established the Rosenwald Fund to assist in the construction of public schools for African American students across the region — an initiative meant to uplift communities and provide the educational opportunities they deserved.

The Fund operated on a unique principle. Local communities raised money to demonstrate their own commitment, and the Rosenwald Fund matched their contributions, magnifying the impact of every dollar. That partnership became a catalyst for change, paving the way for thousands of schools throughout the South.

By the 1930s the influence of the Fund was undeniable: one in every five rural Southern schools for African American students had been built with its aid — nearly five thousand schools, each a beacon of hope and a tangible reminder of the resilience of African American communities in the face of adversity.

Among these countless schools, one particularly significant institution emerged in 1930 — the Hiram Rosenwald School, initially known as the Hiram Colored School. Situated in Paulding County, Georgia, it was the sole Rosenwald School in the county and, at the time, the only African American school in the region with a library.

The school was more than a classroom. It was a pillar of community strength where young minds flourished, talents were cultivated, and dreams were nurtured. From 1930 until 1955 it shaped the lives of countless individuals, leaving an indelible mark on the heritage of Paulding County.

Today we stand in front of the Hiram Rosenwald School grateful for the efforts of the Georgia Historical Society, U.N.I.T.E., and the Hiram Rosenwald Preservation Committee, whose dedication ensured the preservation of this landmark.