Rosenwald Schools Oral Histories

Watch and listen to alumni of Virginia’s Rosenwald Schools reflect on their educational experiences.

These oral histories are presented as part of the exhibition, A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America. Learn more.

Watch and listen to alumni of Virginia’s Rosenwald Schools reflect on their teachers and educational instruction.

These oral histories are presented as part of the exhibition, A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America. Learn more.

Watch and listen to alumni of Virginia’s Rosenwald Schools talk about their experiences related to segregation.

These oral histories are presented as part of the exhibition, A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America. Learn more.

Watch and listen to alumni of Virginia’s Rosenwald schools talk about their experiences in the classroom.

These oral histories are presented as part of the exhibition, A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America. Learn more.

Watch and listen to alumni of Virginia’s Rosenwald schools talk about their experiences beyond the curriculum in school.

These oral histories are presented as part of the exhibition, A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America. Learn more.

Watch and listen to alumni of Virginia’s Rosenwald schools talk about their experiences related to the facilities & resources at their schools.

These oral histories are presented as part of the exhibition, A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America. Learn more.

Second Union School, Goochland County (1953–1959).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America" at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Learn more.

Interview Credits: Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013–2015, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University.

View the interview transcript.

Cape Charles Elementary, Northampton County (1957–1964).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America". Learn more. 

Interview Credits: William & Mary Bray School Lab/Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships, William & Mary.

View the transcript.

Evington School & County Elementary School, Campbell County (1951–1962).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America". Learn more. 

Interview Credits: William & Mary Bray School Lab/Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships, William & Mary.

View the transcript.

Cape Charles Elementary, Northampton County (1955–1962).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America" at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Learn more.

Interview Credit: The Woodville Rosenwald School Foundation, Inc.

View the transcript.

Bethel School & County Training School, Gloucester County (1940–1952).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America" at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Learn more.

Interview Credit: The Woodville Rosenwald School Foundation, Inc.

Campbell County Training School (1952–1957).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America". Learn more. 

Interview Credits: William & Mary Bray School Lab/Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships, William & Mary.

View the transcript.

Megginson School & County Training School, Campbell County (1934–1946).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America". Learn more. 

Interview Credits: William & Mary Bray School Lab/Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships, William & Mary.

View the transcript.

Bena-Hayes and County Training School, Gloucester County (1943–1954).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America" at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Learn more.

Interview Credit: The Woodville Rosenwald School Foundation, Inc.

Second Union School, Goochland County (1949–1955).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America" at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Learn more.

Interview Credits: Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013–2015, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University.

View the transcript.

Bena-Hayes School, Gloucester County Training School (1947–1949).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America". Learn more. 

Interview Credits: William & Mary Bray School Lab/Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships, William & Mary.

View the transcript.

Bena-Hayes School, Gloucester County (1947–1951).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America". Learn more. 

Interview Credits: William & Mary Bray School Lab/Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships, William & Mary.

View the transcript.

Pine Grove School, Cumberland County (1959–1964).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America". Learn more. 

Interview Credits: William & Mary Bray School Lab/Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships, William & Mary.

View the transcript.

West View School, Fluvanna County (1954).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America". Learn more. 

Interview Credits: William & Mary Bray School Lab/Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships, William & Mary.

View the transcript.

Cape Charles Elementary, Northampton County (1950–1958).

This oral history is presented as part of the exhibition "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America". Learn more. 

Interview Credits: William & Mary Bray School Lab/Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships, William & Mary.

View the transcript.