Boynton Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Rosenwald Schools in Palm Beach County

Poinciana Elementary

— "Boynton Beach Colored" —

Rosenwald Schools in Palm Beach County marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jerry Klinger, 2023

1. Rosenwald Schools in Palm Beach County marker

Inscription. A school for black children was established before 1900 by members of the St. Paul AME Church. In 1907, the congregation petitioned the Dade County School Board for a teacher and built a small building on donated land. The school received its most significant assistance through a unique partnership involving a philanthropic businessman and a black educator.

Jewish-American philanthropist Julius Rosenwald was invited by Tuskegee Institute founder, Booker T. Washington, in 1912 to serve on their board of directors to help African American education. Segregated southern schools suffered from inadequate facilities and supplies. Their partnership initiated a school building fund in 1917 that provided seed money encouraging local collaborations between blacks and whites.

In 1925-26, the Boynton Colored School, renamed Poinciana in 1954, became the County's first Rosenwald-funded school receiving seed money for a new building. Following the 1928 hurricane, Rosenwald funds were used to rebuild or construct schools and trade shops in 11 cities throughout the County. By 1932, Rosenwald helped fund 5,357 African American schools in 15 states.

Erected 2023 by Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, Boynton Beach Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton

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Beach Historical Society.

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 Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation., and the Rosenwald Schools series lists.

Location. 26° 32.158′ N, 80° 3.874′ W. Marker is in Boynton Beach, Florida, in Palm Beach County. Marker is at the intersection of Seacrest Boulevard and 10th Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Seacrest Boulevard. The corner of Sara Sims and Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boynton Beach FL 33435, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Barton Memorial Park Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Boynton Woman's Club (approx. 1.3 miles away); South Lake Worth Inlet (approx. 1.4 miles away); Bethesda Memorial Hospital (approx. 2.2 miles away); 1885-1893 (approx. 2½ miles away); North Ocean Boulevard (approx. 2.6 miles away); Chapel Of The Holy Spirit (approx. 2.6 miles away); Evergreen Cemetery (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boynton Beach.

Regarding Rosenwald Schools in Palm Beach County. The Rosenwald Fund built 10 schools and a training shop

Marker Side -2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jerry Klinger, 2023

2. Marker Side -2

in Palm Beach County. The vast majority of Palm Beach County's Black children, for the first time, had access to educational opportunities. It was an enormous step in the eventual transformation of Palm Beach county towards equal educational opportunities for all not fully realized until 1973.

Also see . . . Rosenwald Schools of Palm Beach County. Resources and information about the History of Rosenwald Schools of Palm Beach County

Julius Rosenwald was the son of German Jews who fled centuries-long persecution in Europe and settled in Springfield, Illinois. Born there in 1862, Rosenwald took seriously the Jewish concept of tzedakah – the injunction to treat every person with a sense of righteousness and fairness. He used the great wealth he amassed after transforming Sears, Roebuck into a retailing powerhouse to assist many groups and institutions, particularly to expand the opportunities available to African Americans.

(Submitted on May 12, 2023, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

Additional commentary.
1. Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington
In 1911, Julius Rosenwald met Booker T. Washington at a Chicago fund-raising event. Washington had been born into slavery. Through hard work, skill, and luck, he raised himself up to

Side 2 - Julius Rosenwald and Dr. Booker T. Washington image. Click for full size.

3. Side 2 - Julius Rosenwald and Dr. Booker T. Washington

become the President of Tuskegee University. The two men discovered a commonality in their mutual outlooks of how to better Black America and, in turn, America.

Rosenwald and Washington knew education was the key to transforming the future. The problem they understood was simple and immense. The vast majority of Black Americans lived in the rural areas of the 15 States of the South. Because of institutional and political racism amplified by societal terrorists such as the Ku Klux Klan, Black Americans were universally denied equal access to education, schools, books, teachers, and support. Without education, the future for Black Americans was bleak. The future for America was bleak.

Rosenwald and Washington combined their efforts to do good. Through Washington’s mentoring, Rosenwald created the Rosenwald Fund in 1917. The Rosenwald Fund achieved the impossible over the next two decades. The Fund brought together courageous Blacks and Whites. Together, Rosenwald, Blacks, and Whites overcame incredible difficulties. They built over 5,400 schools, teacher’s homes, and industrial training centers across the South. With Rosenwald matching grants, Blacks and Whites transformed America through commonality, mutuality, and respect.

— Submitted May 12, 2023, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.

Side 2 - Boynton Beach Colored School image. Click for full size.

4. Side 2 - Boynton Beach Colored School

Side 2 - Teacher Blanche Hearst Gertman image. Click for full size.

5. Side 2 - Teacher Blanche Hearst Gertman

Side 2 - Palm Beach County map - locations of the Rosenwald schools image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jerry Klinger, 2023

6. Side 2 - Palm Beach County map - locations of the Rosenwald schools

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2023, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 12, 2023, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. 6. submitted on May 12, 2023. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.