Great Branch Rosenwald Restoration Project

The home was one of 9 built in SC and the only one restored to simulate life in the early 19th century. It is important because many Rosenwald schools and related building are now extant. The home is open for visits to schools, senior groups and the general public as we depict life during the "Jim Crow" era.

How to get involved: We would like for more groups to visit especially our youth. Financial support to keep the doors open are always appreciated.

Challenges :Financial resources needed for the upkeep and maintenance of the facility continues to be a challenge. We have fundraisers and do a lot of the work ourselves. We would also like to have more visitors to the site especially our school-age children, so that they get an important part of our history that was omitted from the text books.

Problems Solved :We try to solve challenges as they appear. We pay annual dues and have a cadre of family members who pay a minimum of $100.00 to help keep the lights on and help with general upkeep. I would recommend that you get buy in from the community before beginning a restoration project. Then keep them involved by having events at the location so that they can see what is being done. Also, involve your local politicians as they sometimes have discretionary funds that they can direct to your project.Finally, talk with anyone who might be interested in history and the importance of preserving it for future generations. Seek out grants and make sure you are transparent about everything - especially the funds.