Marshall in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Rosenwald School in Rectortown, "No. 12"
Photographed by Linda Walcroft
1. The Rosenwald School in Rectortown, "No. 12" Marker
In 1912, Booker T. Washington, head of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, asked Julius Rosenwald, a Jewish Philanthropist and President of Sears, Roebuck & Company, to serve on the Board of Directors at Tuskegee. Their unique partnership led to the creation of the Rosenwald Fund to support the education of African-American children in the rural South. There were 382 Rosenwald schools built in Virginia between 1917 and 1932. Eight such schools in Fauquier County offered a quality education to untold numbers of African-Americans.
Mr. Luke Woodward, a Rectortown resident, provided the land for the original No. 12 School at this site. Mr. Rosenwald wanted to provide seed money to encourage community support for a new and improved No. 12. This new school was built in 1924 at a cost of $4,500.00. It was funded in three parts: the Black contribution - $800.00, public contribution - $3000.00 and Rosenwald contribution - $700.00. The growth and population in the 1950's necessitated a third classroom. Miss L.E. Washington, Miss C.E. Lewis, and Mrs. Eura H. Lewis were among the teachers of grades 1-7 in this school. A retainer wall
this page online
(captions)
Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington (Courtesy Archives - Tuskegee University)
#12 Rectortown School
Rectortown Students
L.E. Washington
Sponsorship
African-American Historical Association
The Claude Thompson Elementary School
Friends of Rectortown, Inc.
The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation
Mount Olive Baptist Church, Rectortown
Rectortown United Methodist Church
Erected 2020 by Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, African-American Historical Association.
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 Rosenwald Schools series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 38° 54.619′ N, 77° 50.833′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Virginia, in Fauquier County. It is on Rectortown Road (County Route 710) 0.3 miles north of Frogtown Road (Virginia Route 702), on the left when traveling north. The marker is on the grounds of the Claude
Photographed by Jerry Klinger
2. The Rosenwald School in Rectortown, "No. 12" Marker
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rectortown (approx. 1.2 miles away); Confederate Memorial (approx. 2.9 miles away); Number 18 School (approx. 3 miles away); Mosbys Rangers Disband (approx. 3 miles away); McClellan Relieved From Command (approx. 3.1 miles away); Salem (approx. 3.1 miles away); Mosbys Rangers Disband Site (approx. 3.2 miles away); Campaign of Second Manassas (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Linda Walcroft, August 28, 2023
3. The retaining wall and steps described by the marker.
The school that replaced the Rosenwald school is in the distance but obscured by trees and vehicles.
More about this marker. The marker conceived and funded by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation with support from the African-American Historical Association.
Regarding The Rosenwald School in Rectortown, "No. 12". This is the site of a Rosenwald school, one of over 5,300 funded by Jewish philanthropist Julius Rosenwald working with Black educator Booker T. Washington with community support. The Rosenwald school projects, in the 13 states of the South, provided educational opportunities to Black American children who had been denied educational opportunities. Rosenwald's efforts affected the lives and futures of millions of Black Americans.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2020, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 684 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 29, 2023, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. 2. submitted on November 26, 2020, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on August 29, 2023, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
