Rosenwald Schools have a unique place in the history of education and civil rights. Between 1917 & 1932, Julius Rosenwald, philanthropist and president of Sears, Roebuck & Co., led a foundation which built over 5,000 small schoolhouses to serve African American children. In the years before desegregation, these schools provided what the states denied. Four were built in Hampton County, South Carolina between 1920 & 1930; all four were later assumed lost to demolition-by-neglect.

Not long ago, county residents in Gifford discovered that their Rosenwald School still stood, within a few feet of the road but hidden by weeds. Today, the Arnold Fields Community Endowment is leading an effort to restore the building for use as a technology & learning center for the youth of Hampton County. We’re proud to assist their efforts pro-bono as they apply for a Community Development Block Grant through the Lowcountry Council of Governments. 

Danielle Drinkuth and Rayshad Dorsey, our interns from the Clemson Architecture Center in Charleston, are excitedly working with Jay White on the project. Look for concept designs from our studio soon.