Mount Dora in Lake County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Milner-Rosenwald Academy
Built in 1926
By PaulwC3, March 11, 2014
1. Milner-Rosenwald Academy Marker
Inscription.
Milner-Rosenwald Academy served African-American school children from 1926 to 1962. When fire destroyed the old school in 1922, parents and community leaders, led by Mamie Lee Gilbert (1886-1976) and Lula Butler, raised money for a new one. Seed money came from the Rosenwald Foundation, founded in 1913 by philanthropist Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932) to build black schools in the South. Matching funds came from Rev. Duncan C. Milner (1841-1928), Mount Dora, committed foe of racial injustice. Despite the inequity of segregation, Milner-Rosenwald was a source of community pride. Its graduates were leaders, scholars, writers and contributing members of society. Many today remember favorite teachers and activities--the marching band, the glee club, the Maypole Festival, the state championship girls' basketball team. As enrollment grew, a new Milner-Rosenwald Academy was built, at 1250 Grant Ave. The old academy housed the community's first kindergarten, the East Town branch library, the youth center and, later, the Head Start program. After integration in 1970 the Milner-Rosenwald Academy was renamed Mount Dora Middle School and the name Milner-Rosenwald Academy became a cherished part of Mount Dora's history. . This historical marker was erected in 2002 by The Northeast Black History Committee and the Florida Department of State. It is in Mount Dora in Lake County Florida
Milner-Rosenwald Academy served African-American school children from 1926 to 1962. When fire destroyed the old school in 1922, parents and community leaders, led by Mamie Lee Gilbert (1886-1976) and Lula Butler, raised money for a new one. Seed money came from the Rosenwald Foundation, founded in 1913 by philanthropist Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932) to build black schools in the South. Matching funds came from Rev. Duncan C. Milner (1841-1928), Mount Dora, committed foe of racial injustice. Despite the inequity of segregation, Milner-Rosenwald was a source of community pride. Its graduates were leaders, scholars, writers and contributing members of society. Many today remember favorite teachers and activities--the marching band, the glee club, the Maypole Festival, the state championship girls' basketball team. As enrollment grew, a new Milner-Rosenwald Academy was built, at 1250 Grant Ave. The old academy housed the community's first kindergarten, the East Town branch library, the youth center and, later, the Head Start program. After integration in 1970 the Milner-Rosenwald Academy was renamed Mount Dora Middle School and the name Milner-Rosenwald
By PaulwC3, March 11, 2014
2. Wide view of the Milner-Rosenwald Academy Marker
Academy became a cherished part of Mount Dora's history.
Erected 2002 by The Northeast Black History Committee and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-485.)
Location. 28° 48.623′ N, 81° 38.186′ W. Marker is in Mount Dora, Florida, in Lake County. Marker is at the intersection of North Highland Street and East Jackson Avenue on North Highland Street. The marker is located in the fenced-in front yard of the Mt Dora Head Start. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1560 North Highland Street, Mount Dora FL 32757, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 539 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.