A Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Shools National Historical Park? Yes!

Responding to legislation passed a year and a half ago, the National Park Service is evaluating the case for a site dedicated to Julius Rosenwald the the Rosenwald schools. This is an exciting development for the team, of which I am an enthusiastic part, that since 2017 has been working towards creation of such a park. We come at it from different perspectives but all of us on the Campaign board strongly believe that the unique contributions of Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald schools he helped to fund need to be remembered, honored and celebrated.

Among the arguments in favor of a Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Site is the fact that although there are 423 units in the National Park Service, not one of these sites honors the contributions to our country of a Jewish American. Rosenwald, with his immigrant parents, his successful business career at the head of Sears, Roebuck & Company, and his exceptional generosity is an ideal representative of this important chapter in our national story.

And the relationship between Rosenwald and educator Booker T. Washington and their partnership with African American men and women across the South, people who were determined to create greater educational opportunity for their children than they themselves had been allowed, is another part of our national story that needs telling, considering and honoring. Rosenwald used his money not to dictate what he wanted but to encourage and support the efforts of others. Black people in the early decades of the 20th century made heroic efforts to secure schools — and thus enhanced opportunity — for their children and their communities.

Everyone who cares about this story is urged to submit comments before the deadline on July 31, 2022. Here is the web address for the questionnaire

https://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=121834

You may also access information about the proposed park and the chance to submit comments at

parkplanning.nps.gov/Rosenwald

Please help make this park a reality! Submit your comments by the end of July. And if you wish to be on the mailing list for our regular campaign updates, please send me an e-mail at scd@his.com. I will put you on the list and welcome you to our ranks.

This park will become a reality!