Get Involved Buy-a-Chair Campaign The “Buy-a-Chair” campaign was orchestrated by community leaders in 1945 to raise funds to restore and maintain the Historic Russell School, as well as to provide recreational and educational activities for the community. Many individuals and businesses contributed to the fundraiser by purchasing chairs (most still present in the school) for $3.50.

Please consider supporting the Historic Russell School through purchasing a virtual chair in the amount of $90.00 for individuals and $350.00 for corporations. Your name and/or corporation will be immortalized on a plaque inside the school and on our virtual wall.

You may purchase a “virtual” chair “In Memory of” or “In Honor of”. Funds will support operational and administrative activities, community events, and restorative projects. All donations are tax deductible.

Mail checks to: Friends of Russell Rosenwald School Post Office Box 73036 Durham, NC 27722

Volunteers and Interns The Historic Russell School is looking for individuals with expertise in finance and fundraising, marketing, educational programming, membership, historic preservation, and/or board development. Please contact Bradley Long at bradley.long@historicrussellschool .org to discuss committee and internship opportunities.

Introduction Located in Hillsborough NC, the Historic Russell School is the only surviving Rosenwald School in Durham County, making it a unique cultural landmark in our community. The site is listed inthe National Register of Historic Places.

The school is overseen by Friends of Russell Rosenwald School (FORRS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of FORRS is to preserve and share the Historic Russell School with visitors. Through collaboration with local and national partners, we work to increase awareness about this historic landmark, create an on-site museum, and provide educational programs for the community.

History In the early 20th century, segregation in the rural South denied Black children access to formal education. To bring education to these children, countless individuals worked together to build Rosenwald Schools. Two leaders in this movement were Booker T. Washington, an educator and principal of the Tuskegee Institute, and Julius Rosenwald, a philanthropist. From 1913 to 1932, they teamed up with local communities across the South to build thousands of Rosenwald Schools.

Historic Russell School This school was named for one of the major neighborhood supporters, ThomasRussell. Built in 1926, it operated until 1945. The school provided education to hundreds of children, bringing to fruition the vision and dedication of those who believed that high-quality education should be available to everyone.

The two-room school was equipped to have two teachers. It has high windows, hardwood floors, two cloakrooms (one in each room), and a small kitchen facing the front of the building. The original chalkboards survive, as does one of the desks.

Contact Info

Email:info@historicrusselschool.org

Phone: 919-800-3487

Board of Directors

Phyllis Mack Horton- Chair

Bradley Long- Vice Chair

Derek Ellis- Secretary

Russell Mack- Treasurer

Cynthia Long- Public Liaison

Eddie Davis

Doris Dunnegan

Pearl Holman

Douglas Mack

Valor Mack

Janice McIntyre

Juanita Shaw

Friends of the Russell Rosenwald

School

Learn more at:

http://www.historicrussellschool.org

2001 Saint Marys Road Hillsborough, NC 27278