This legislation establishes the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park System. The Park aims to commemorate the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald , a visionary philanthropist and former Sears, Roebuck and Co. executive, who partnered with Booker T. Washington to build approximately 5,000 schools for African American children in the segregated South. These Rosenwald Schools , constructed between 1912 and 1932, educated over 600,000 children, including future civil rights leaders like John Lewis and Maya Angelou, significantly improving African American education and fostering a more democratic society. Beyond the schools, the Park will also honor Rosenwald's broader legacy, including the Julius Rosenwald Fund , which awarded fellowships to nearly 900 talented individuals, supported early NAACP legal cases leading to Brown v. Board of Education , and aided historically Black colleges and universities. The Park's boundary will include the original Sears Merchandising Complex in Chicago, which will house a headquarters and visitor center, along with representative Rosenwald Schools such as the San Domingo School in Maryland, the Saint George School in South Carolina, and the Woodville School in Virginia. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with various entities to preserve and interpret these sites. Furthermore, the bill mandates the establishment of the Rosenwald Schools National Network within the National Park Service. This network will connect remaining Rosenwald Schools and related sites across the United States, facilitating the dissemination of their story through educational materials, research, and technical assistance. The Secretary will also provide grants to Network elements and recommend additional Rosenwald School sites for potential inclusion within the Park, ensuring a comprehensive interpretation of this pivotal chapter in American history.
Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Act
USA119th CongressHR-8887| House
| Updated: 5/19/2026
This legislation establishes the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park System. The Park aims to commemorate the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald , a visionary philanthropist and former Sears, Roebuck and Co. executive, who partnered with Booker T. Washington to build approximately 5,000 schools for African American children in the segregated South. These Rosenwald Schools , constructed between 1912 and 1932, educated over 600,000 children, including future civil rights leaders like John Lewis and Maya Angelou, significantly improving African American education and fostering a more democratic society. Beyond the schools, the Park will also honor Rosenwald's broader legacy, including the Julius Rosenwald Fund , which awarded fellowships to nearly 900 talented individuals, supported early NAACP legal cases leading to Brown v. Board of Education , and aided historically Black colleges and universities. The Park's boundary will include the original Sears Merchandising Complex in Chicago, which will house a headquarters and visitor center, along with representative Rosenwald Schools such as the San Domingo School in Maryland, the Saint George School in South Carolina, and the Woodville School in Virginia. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with various entities to preserve and interpret these sites. Furthermore, the bill mandates the establishment of the Rosenwald Schools National Network within the National Park Service. This network will connect remaining Rosenwald Schools and related sites across the United States, facilitating the dissemination of their story through educational materials, research, and technical assistance. The Secretary will also provide grants to Network elements and recommend additional Rosenwald School sites for potential inclusion within the Park, ensuring a comprehensive interpretation of this pivotal chapter in American history.