Elenor Roosevelt School Phase 1 Complete

Nestled in the heart of Warm Springs, Georgia, the Eleanor Roosevelt School stands as a remarkable emblem of history, progress, and the enduring legacy of education in the rural South.

🏫 Origins & Architecture

• Constructed in 1936–1937, this red-brick school was designed by Fletcher B. Dresslar and Samuel L. Smith, featuring Colonial Revival elements characteristic of Rosenwald school architecture (en.wikipedia.org).
• It was the final Rosenwald School built—over 5,000 Rosenwald-funded schools were constructed from 1912 to 1936 for Black children, but this was the last (en.wikipedia.org).
• President Franklin D. Roosevelt, deeply connected to Warm Springs due to his polio treatments, personally financed its completion and delivered the dedication speech in March 1937. It was aptly named after his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt (georgiatrust.org).

💡 A Beacon for the Community

• Launched on March 18, 1937, it began as a five-teacher vocational‑style school, serving grades 1–8 until the mid-1960s and then transitioned to elementary levels until closing in 1972 following integration (en.wikipedia.org).
• After closing, the school served briefly as an adult education center and daycare before transitioning to private ownership in the late 1970s .
• Its significance lies not only in the education it offered but in how it embodied hope and advancement for the African American community during segregation.

🏛️ Historic Recognition & Decline

• The school was officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places on May 3, 2010, acknowledging its educational, architectural, and cultural importance (en.wikipedia.org).
• Though recognized, the building fell into neglect—with windows bricked up, a deteriorating roof, and decades of silence marking its abandonment (georgiatrust.org).

🔧 Revival Efforts & Restoration

• In 2007, the site was added to the Georgia Trust’s “Places in Peril” list, drawing public attention to its deteriorating condition (georgiatrust.org).
• The Trust acquired the property through its Revolving Fund in 2019; by early 2020, DeBron and Voncher Walker had become its private stewards (georgiatrust.org).
• In August 2023, the National Park Service awarded a $694,522 grant under its African American Civil Rights initiative to stabilize the exteriors—new roof, restored windows and masonry—and to commission full architectural plans (georgiatrust.org).
• A groundbreaking and community kickoff ceremony took place on September 7, 2023, attended by FDR’s great‑grandson, school alumni, local leaders, and the Walkers (laniercountynewsonline.com).

🌱 Vision for the Future

• The Walkers aim to transform the school into a heritage museum and cultural center, preserving Rosenwald artifacts and celebrating African American educational history (wrbl.com).
• Backed by additional funding and partnerships with universities, the restored site is set to host educational programs, including victory gardens, hydroponics and aquaponics workshops, and community events like weddings and lectures (wrbl.com).
• Interior rehabilitation is expected to follow exterior work, with full plans underway for a “complete rehabilitation and sustainability” of the building (georgiatrust.org).

🧭 In Context: Warm Springs Legacy

• Warm Springs is intimately tied to FDR’s polio journey and the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute. The area includes the historic Polio Hall of Fame and the Little White House, creating a broader tapestry of healing, resilience, and historic preservation (en.wikipedia.org).
• The Eleanor Roosevelt School adds a powerful educational narrative to this historic district—highlighting ties between social justice, health, and community uplift (historic-structures.com).

👍 Why It Matters

1. Historic Significance: As the last Rosenwald School, it marks the end of a pioneering movement that reshaped education in the segregated South.
2. Presidential Connection: Roosevelt’s personal involvement elevates its importance to both local and national history.
3. Cultural Revival: Its restoration will preserve a symbol of African American resilience and bring educational, vocational, and cultural opportunities back to Warm Springs.
4. Community Engagement: This project honors former students and educators, fostering pride and reconnection.

🔜 What’s Next?

• Bidding for restoration contractors closed in December 2024, with exterior work already underway (wrbl.com, georgiatrust.org).
• Major progress on windows, roofing, and masonry was anticipated through 2024, alongside development of vocational and historical programming .
• Stay tuned to the official project site and Georgia Trust updates for invitations to tours, lectures, and community events—like National Museum Day this February (georgiatrust.org).

🖋️ In Closing

The Eleanor Roosevelt School is much more than old bricks—it represents a bridge between eras: from segregation to integration, from decay to vibrant restoration. Its revival is a collective journey—honoring courageous students, a forward-thinking president, and a community committed to education and justice. Soon, its halls will echo once again with lessons, laughter, and legacy.

For updates or to support the restoration and programming, you can visit the project’s site or the Georgia Trust’s page on this historic gem.

Map Link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Eleanor+Roosevelt+School/@32.895489,-84.6848581,15.18z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88f35f7a9fc9e78b:0x9a3fe75635fbbfdf!8m2!3d32.8986581!4d-84.685293!16s%2Fg%2F11k0rhfn2f?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYzMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D