☞ READ: South Saves Historic Schools

The New York Times had an article this week on how southern states are trying to rescue old wood frame school houses that were built in the 1912-1937 with the guidance of Booker T. Washington and the philanthropy of Sears president, Julius Rosenwald. In a highly segregated south, African-Americans were on their own and did not have the local government support in building schools. The Rosenwald schools, although modest clapboard buildings, would provide education to the rural areas of the south and folks are finally realizing their historic value and are trying to save them. We couldn't help but compare the preservation efforts with that of many of today's buildings in Harlem. A gentleman quoted in the article states that, "Sometimes we destroy our history. You can tell kids about it, but they appreciate it better when they see it.” Read more in the NY Times: LINK. Photo by David Walter Banks.