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Start Over Subjects African Americans -- Segregation Level File
College of William and Mary

Rosenwald School Oral History Project

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This oral history project accompanys and is used extensively for the "A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America" exhibit, which will be on display in the Virginia Museum of History & Culture from May 2024 until April 2025. The exhibit and the oral history project examine the legacy of Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington co-creating schools in the American South to educate Black children otherwise exluded from the public school system due to segregation laws. The oral history project consists of interviews with former pupils of Rosenwald schools in Virginia.

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Armstrong, Nadine Oral History

Nadine Armstrong attended the Westview Rosenwald School which is no longer standing. Her interview was conducted in the Dunbar school now being restored. Nadine Armstrong discusses her family background, her experience as a former pupil of a Rosenwald school and the efforts to restore the schools. Nadine Armstrong details the typical day and experiences attending a Rosenwald school during segregation.

Beach, Patricia Oral History

Patricia Beach is a former pupil of the Cape Charles Elementary School, a former Rosenwald school. Patricia Beach describes her life and experiences living in Cape Charles during segregation. Patricia Beach details a typical day attending a former Rosenwald School.

Davis, Dianne Oral History

Dianne Davis is a former pupil of the Cape Charles Elementary School, a former Rosenwald Schools. Dianne Davis recounts her time as a pupil attending Cape Charles Elementary School, a segregated school funded by Julius Rosenwald and created by Booker T. Washington. Dianne discusses the typical day attending a Rosenwald school and her hopes for the restoration of the school.

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