Tuskegee Institute in Macon County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Julius Rosenwald

— The Tuskegee Civil Rights and Historic Trail —

Photographed By Jerry Klinger, March 29, 2019

1. Julius Rosenwald Marker

Inscription. Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932) was a Jewish multimillionaire merchant and one of the founders (1906) of Sears, Roebuck, and Company, then the largest department store in the United States. Rosenwald was a member of the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees (1911-1932) and collaborated with Booker T. Washington on the development of a program to provide public education for rural southern Blacks. Known as “Rosenwald Schools,” this initiative existed from 1913 to 1948 and resulted in the construction of over 4,977 schools, 217 teachers' homes, and 163 shop buildings in 883 counties in 15 southern states. This fit well with Rosenwald’s philosophy to “Give while you live.” His benevolence resulted in the development of the Rosenwald Fund, which supported the creation of many black YMCAs, YWCAs, and grants that encouraged many of the 20th century’s greatest black artists and innovators. Approximately half of his charitable gifts went to African American communities.

Erected 2019 by Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, City of Tuskegee, Tuskegee University. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities

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, the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation., the Rosenwald Schools, and the Tuskegee Civil Rights and Historic Trail, Alabama series lists.

Location. 32° 25.775′ N, 85° 42.518′ W. Marker is in Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, in Macon County. Marker is at the intersection of Moton Drive and Booker T. Washington Boulevard on Moton Drive. Past the entrance gate on the left side in front of Moton Hall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tuskegee Institute AL 36088, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fred David Gray (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Booker T Washington (about 400 feet away); Tuskegee Civic Association (about 400 feet away); The Tuskegee Institute Advancement League (about 400 feet away); Lifting the Veil of Ignorance (about 400 feet away); Dorothy Hall (about 400 feet away); Tuskegee Chapel (about 600 feet away); Jessie Parkhurst Guzman (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuskegee Institute.

More about this marker. The marker is located on Tuskegee University grounds, a traditionally Black University. It is significant because of its recognition and honoring of Julius Rosenwald's major contributions to Tuskegee University and to the social and educational needs of millions of Black Americans throughout the South.

The Julius Rosenwald marker is

View of marker looking easterly towards the University Bookstore. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 20, 2019

2. View of marker looking easterly towards the University Bookstore.

part of a 13 marker Tuskegee, Alabama Civil Rights Marker Trail System. The System is funded by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (JASHP). The System was created through a close interaction of JASHP, Tuskegee University and the City of Tuskegee.

Regarding Julius Rosenwald. Julius Rosenwald said in 1912:

"The horrors that are due to race prejudice come home to the Jew more forcefully than to others of the white race, on account of the centuries of persecution which they have suffered and still suffer."

Julius Rosenwald Marker looking westerly towards the Robert R. Moton Hall. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 20, 2019

3. Julius Rosenwald Marker looking westerly towards the Robert R. Moton Hall.

Julius Rosenwald image. Click for full size.

photo courtesy of University of Minnesota Libraries, Kautz Family YMCA Archives, circa 1910

4. Julius Rosenwald

Dedication program and associated map of trail. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 20, 2019

5. Dedication program and associated map of trail.

All thirteen new markers were dedicated on September 20th, 2019 at the Tuskegee Municipal Complex.
Please note #1 on the map, Amelia Boynton Robinson marker is actually on Franklin Road, NNW of Tuskegee University, near Boy Scout Circle.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 851 times since then and 56 times this year. Last updated on June 1, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on May 20, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on September 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on May 20, 2019. 5. submitted on September 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.