Hampton County Gifford Rosenwald School was approved by the South Carolina Historic Preservation Board of Review for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places on July 28, 2017. On October 4, notification was received from the SC Department of Archives and History that Gifford Rosenwald School was approved to be on the National Register. Properties on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places are the federal government’s list of historic properties worthy of preservation or protection.

Since the discovery of the school’s national importance, much support has come from the local community. Faith Temperance Deliverance Ministry, Gifford Rosenwald School Reunion Committee, Gifford Town Council, Hampton County Council, SC State Department of Archives and History and the National Parks Service have all contributed to the effort. Community organizations and businesses such as the Arnold Fields Community Endowment, Hampton County Council, Lowcountry Council of Governments, Brunson Building Supply, Liollio Architecture, Representative William K. Bowers and the office of SC Senator Tim Scott are only a few organizations, businesses and political support that made this a reality for Hampton County.

Since the school is now nationally recognized, this will hopefully open federal and state grant opportunities, as well as influence local private philanthropic organizations to contribute to the restoration and preservation of the Gifford Rosenwald School.

Donations to preserve and restore the Gifford Rosenwald School can be sent to the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, 4 Northridge Drive, Suite A, P.O. Box 23019, Hilton Head, SC, 29925 or online at https//www.cf-lowcountry.org. Select the Arnold Fields Community Endowment Fund and the Gifford Rosenwald School Project Fund or call CFL at (843)681-9100.

Source: Hampton County Guardian (10.19.2017)