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. Click to hear the 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

Wide view of the Milner-Rosenwald Academy Marker image. Click for full size.

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.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Rosenwald Schools 🎓 series list.

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Witherspoon Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, No. 111 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mount Dora Community Building (approx. ¾ mile away); The World War (approx. 0.8 miles away); John P. Donnelly House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Old Mount Dora Post Office (approx. 0.9 miles away); Atlantic Coast Line Train Depot (approx. one mile away); Lakeside Inn

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(approx. one mile away); Sonnentag Theater at the Icehouse (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Dora.

Also see . . .
1. Black academy's lessons live on in book - Orlando Sentinel. Black academy's lessons live on in book - Orlando Sentinel (Submitted on April 4, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

2. Mount Dora, FL - Official Website - Historic Landmarks in the NECRA District. (Submitted on April 4, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

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.