Motto "PRESERVE ~ HIGHLIGHT ~ INSPIRE"
MUSEUM HISTORY
Second Union (Rosenwald) School was built on land formerly owned by S. B. Massie and his brother Matthew Massie, inherited from their mother, Lucy Fleming. The Massie parcel contained 49 2/5 acres and was located near “Second Union Colored Baptist Church.” On July 5, 1917, S. B. Massie sold a piece of his property to the Byrd School District. There were more than 5,000 Rosenwald Schools constructed in the south to improve classroom conditions for over 648,000 students.
The school was built in 1918 using funds from the Julius Rosenwald Fund, which the fund was in its early years and still based at the Tuskegee Institute. The school was built using plans and specifications for a two-teacher school developed by the Funds and at a total cost of $2,000. Of that total, the African American community contribution was $150, the public contribution was $1,800, and the Rosenwald Fund contribution was $50. Terms of the Rosenwald Fund required that public and/or private funds be raised in an amount at least equal to the amount of the Fund’s contribution.
These schools are now referred to as the Rosenwald Schools. Mr. Julius Rosenwald and Mr. Booker T. Washington through their influence and financial support assisted with the building of 367 schools in the state of Virginia. These one and two room schools were intended to provide separate but equal education for African American students
Second Union School played a major role in the Fife/Bula community during the time it served as a school and for a time thereafter. The school was used to educate African American children until 1959 when students were transferred to an segregated elementary school about a ½ mile away. It was at this time that Goochland County sold the building to the trustees of Second Union Church for $900. Second Union Church used the school for Sunday school and Bible school classes. When the church built a new Fellowship Hall, the school building became a place for storage.
In 2005, a group of interested community members, along with former students of Second Union School, teamed with the Goochland Historical Society and secured a Lowe’s Grant to renovate the exterior of the school (repairing the roof, windows, concrete steps, building a ramp, painting, replacing rotten side boards) and completing some electrical work inside. The next step for Second Union School, Corp. is to restore the interior of the building and turn it into a museum dedicated to Black American education in Goochland County.
The Second Union School was being restored into a living museum and will inspire life-long learning opportunities for future generations in our communities
Today, no more than ten to twelve percent of Rosenwald Schools are estimated to remain standing. In 2002, The National Trust for Historic Preservation added the Rosenwald schools to its list of America’s most endangered historical sites
Lowe's provided a second $1 million grant to the National Trust for Historic Preservation to save 15 Rosenwald schools from permanent disrepair and, through adaptive reuse, to transform them into once-again vibrant facilities in their communities. Second Union School is one of the places to begin the restoration process with the second round of funds.
In 2008, Lowe's awarded $1 million in its first round of grants to fund work at 17 other Rosenwald schools in the south. The funds were used to repair the roof, windows, and concrete steps and build a ramp to improve accessibility. Exterior work included painting and replacement of rotten siding boards. Interior work includes painting and electrical work. The restored building will be used as a museum for the history of Black Education in Goochland County.
The Goochland County Historical Society continues to support the rehabilitation effort.
Today, no more than 10 to 12 percent of Rosenwald schools are estimated to remain standing. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Rosenwald schools to its list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Getting to Know Us
Oral Histories
Former Second Union School students and Goochland county residents share their experiences during school segregation.
BREAKING NEWS:
CONGRESS PASSES ROSENWALD LEGISLATION
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At the end of a very dark and uncertain year, the Rosenwald Park Campaign was given a key victory by the last-minute passage of The Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Act of 2019. The legislation is now on its way to the White House for the President to sign.
The House (Bill HR 3250) was introduced by Representative Danny Davis (D-IL-7). A Subcommittee hearing was held on October 29, 2019, and a markup of the Bill was passed by unanimous consent on March 11, 2020, in the House Natural Resources Committee. Forty-three Representatives cosponsored HR 3250.
The Senate Bill (S. 1863) was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and had a Subcommittee hearing on March 4, 2020. A markup of that Bill was not prepared. Nine Senators cosponsored the Bill. Both Bills had bipartisan support.
Shortly thereafter, the COVID pandemic spread through the nation. Spring became summer, followed by fall. The Campaign was advised that passage of the legislation was most unlikely in this session of Congress.
But last week Congressional staff in both Houses of Congress found a path forward for the legislation. The House passed the markup of HR 3250 on December 17, 2020, by a vote of 387 to five, a resounding victory. And on December 21, the Senate passed HR 3250 by unanimous consent.
The late Congressman John Lewis, who attended a Rosenwald School in Alabama, was one of the eight lead sponsors of HR 3250. It is most fitting that his name will be on the final law. He always believed that hope is a powerful force.
The legislation directs the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study of the sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald, especially the Rosenwald Schools. This is the first key step in ultimately creating the National Historical Park.
There are so many people to thank for this important victory. They include the Congressional staffers, who against all odds, shepherded HR 3250 through to passage. Also included are the Members of Congress who sponsored and co-sponsored the two Bills and their staffs. Both the National Parks Conservation Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have been steadfast supporters of the Campaign from day one and worked vigorously to pass the legislation. And thanks to the 40 non-profit organizations that officially supported the legislation. Last but not least are all the Campaign supporters who wrote their Members of Congress asking them to cosponsor the Bills and our committed donors.
The Campaign is so grateful. Working together we will create the Julius Rosenwald & Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park.
Dorothy Canter
President