Historic Russell School

Historic Russell School Located in Hillsborough, NC, the Historic Russell School is the sole surviving Rosenwald school in Durham County, making it a unique cultural landmark.

The Rosenwald Schools were built in the early 20th century from the collaboration of countless individuals who believed that black children in the rural south should have access to formal education during a time when segregation prevented this. Booker T. Washington, an educator and principal of the Tuskegee Institute, and Julius Rosenwald, President of Sears, Roebuck & Co. and an important philant

hropist, teamed up with individuals from local communities across the south to build over 5,000 Rosenwald Schools from 1913 to 1932. It was truly a community effort: Through the Rosenwald Fund, Julius Rosenwald donated over 4.3 million, while African-American communities contributed over 4.7 million to build schools. The Historic Russell School was named for one of the major neighborhood supporters, Thomas Russell. It was built in the 1926 and continued to operate until 1945, when it closed. While the school was open, hundreds of children were educated, 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.

04/10/2026
Movie on the lawn rescheduled to next Saturday, September 16th. See you then!
09/09/2023

Movie on the lawn rescheduled to next Saturday, September 16th. See you then!

Join us for our annual "Movie on the Lawn" featuring "The Gospel According to Andre".
We'll learn more about this local fashion icon who set the world on fire with his creative genius.

Special Showing of "Living Legacy", a short film of the Historic Russell School by Maddie Stambler.

Bring your snacks, drinks, and lawn chairs/blankets.
The Historic Russell School will sponsor free popcorn and water.

Register for this free event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/historic-russell-school-annual-movie-on-the-lawn-tickets-698095692007?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/29/2023

Join us for our annual "Movie on the Lawn" featuring "The Gospel According to Andre".
We'll learn more about this local fashion icon who set the world on fire with his creative genius.

Special Showing of "Living Legacy", a short film of the Historic Russell School by Maddie Stambler.

Bring your snacks, drinks, and lawn chairs/blankets.
The Historic Russell School will sponsor free popcorn and water.

Register for this free event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/historic-russell-school-annual-movie-on-the-lawn-tickets-698095692007?aff=oddtdtcreator

Enjoy this recent project the Museum of Durham History!
04/06/2023

Enjoy this recent project the Museum of Durham History!

See the story

Come see a hidden gem, the last remaining Rosenwald School in Durham County. Register for a tour this Saturday from 12-2...
07/26/2022

Come see a hidden gem, the last remaining Rosenwald School in Durham County. Register for a tour this Saturday from 12-2pm

Come see a hidden gem, the last remaining Rosenwald School in Durham County

Come see a hidden gem, the last remaining Rosenwald School in Durham CountyRegister for a tour this Saturday, July 30th ...
07/26/2022

Come see a hidden gem, the last remaining Rosenwald School in Durham County
Register for a tour this Saturday, July 30th from 12:00-2:00pm on Eventbrite -

Come see a hidden gem, the last remaining Rosenwald School in Durham County

Come see a hidden gem, the last remaining Rosenwald School in Durham CountyRegister at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrit...
07/26/2022

Come see a hidden gem, the last remaining Rosenwald School in Durham County
Register at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/historic-russell-school-tour-tickets-390752430037

About this event
Step inside over 100 years of history with a tour of the Historic Russell School. The Historic Russell School is a Rosenwald School built in 1926. During the Jim Crow era, Rosenwald Schools were built in collaboration with the local Black community, local white school board, and Rosenwald Fund. It was the only refuge Black children had for access to a formalized education.

Located off Saint Marys Road, the Historic Russell School is the last remaining Rosenwald School of 17 built in Durham County.

The Historic Russell School is a 2 teacher school with its original windows, chalkboards, and hardwood floors.

Join us for a tour and presentation of its history.

The Historic Russell School is owned by Cain's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

Come see a hidden gem, the last remaining Rosenwald School in Durham County

Visit us for all February 2021 Black History Month Events. We will kick off this month with a virtual tour this Saturda...
02/05/2021

Visit us for all February 2021 Black History Month Events. We will kick off this month with a virtual tour this Saturday. Visit our site for registration information.

Address

2001 Saint Marys Road
Hillsborough, NC
27278

Telephone

(919) 452-6082

Website

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