Rosenwald school

Holden School students enjoy a day in town.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 6 May 1933.

——

  • Marie Howard
  • Holden School
  • Atlantic Christian College
  • Negro National Anthem
  • Elizabeth Harris — Ada Elizabeth Harris.
  • Robert L. Taylor — in the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer George Taylor, 51; wife Crina, 35; children John, 20, James, 11, Robert L., 10, Jimmie D., 3, and Crina M., newborn; stepdaughter Maggie, 20; and granddaughter Flossie M., 2 months.
  • James Taylor — see Robert Taylor, above.
  • Wallace White — in 1940, Wallace White registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 June 1917 in Darlington, S.C.; lived at Route 3, Wilson; his contact was mother Lela Scarbrough; and he worked for P.P. Gordon, Washington, D.C.
  • Roger White
  • Paul Sharp — in the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer
  • Mary Barnes
  • Rosa M. Ellis
  • Essie M. Barnes — in the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Cofield Barnes, 54; wife Hattie, 33; children Sarah, 21, Eser L., 15, Hallie, 13, Jimmie L., 11, and Flecher, 3; and grandson James Curry, 5.
  • Marie Barnes
  • Rosa Lee Curry — on 18 October 1938, John M. Taylor, 19, of Gardners township, son of Frank and Emma Taylor, married Rosa Lee Currin [sic], 19, of Gardners township, daughter of Joe and Bee Currin, in Wilson.
  • Gracie Sweeney — Gracie Swinney.
  • Ida Lee Harris — in the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Leander Harris, 44; wife Lucy, 48; and daughters Ada E., 21, schoolteacher, Rosa, 20, Davie, 18, and Ida, 15.
  • Helen Harris
  • Mr. and Mrs. James Crocker — were the Crockers, a white couple, guests in Ada E. Harris’ home?
  • Carolina Theatre

B.W.A. Historical Marker Series, no. 37: Holden School.

In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.

We been here.

HOLDEN SCHOOL

Originally one-room school for white students; converted to Black school circa 1921. Located near Mill Branch west of Holdens Crossroads. Building replaced with Rosenwald funds in early 1920s. Closed in 1951 with consolidation of rural schools. Demolished.

We know relatively little about Holden School, but for more, see here and here and here.

Wilson County teachers meet.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 1 December 1928.

In 1928, teachers from 23 African-American schools attended a meeting with Wilson County school superintendent C.E. Curtis.

Barnes, Boyette, Evansdale, Holden, Lucama, New Vester, Pender, Saratoga, Stantonsburg, and Yelverton were Rosenwald schools.

Bynum, Calvin Level, Elm City, Farmer’s Mill, Ferrell, Howard, Lane, Lovers Lane, Mitchell, Page, Ruffin, Turner, and Wilbanks were not.

Schools not represented included Healthy Plains, Jones Hill, Lofton, Minshew, Rocky Branch, Sims, and Williamson Elementary.

Fisk’s Rosenwald archive goes digital — Wilson County schools revealed!

I’ve been waiting for months. Two nights ago it finally dropped, and I geeked out for hours. Fisk University’s digital Rosenwald Fund Collection is live!

A search for Wilson County, North Carolina, yielded 24 documents — 14 photographs of eight Rosenwald schools and ten related records. Only a portion of Wilson County schools are represented, but the value of these images can’t be overstated. Most were taken while the buildings were under construction or just completed, and I can just imagine the communities’ pride!

More to come.

My deepest gratitude to the women and men who’ve shared their Rosenwald stories with me over the past few months. If you or someone you love is a former Rosenwald student, I’d love to talk to you!

B.W.A. Historical Marker Series, no. 26: Kirby’s Crossing School.

In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.

We been here.

KIRBY’S CROSSING SCHOOL

Also known as Kirby’s or Boyette’s School. Three-room school stood near St. Delight Original Free Will Baptist Church, facing railroad. Constructed with Rosenwald funds ca. 1920; probably replaced an older building.

——

[Sidenote: Hoping to get a sense of where Kirby’s Crossing School stood, I turned into the narrow unpaved track leading road leading to Saint Delight. A man working on the church’s front porch said his wife’s family might know about the school, but he wasn’t as familiar with the area because he was from Stantonsburg. I studied his face a bit, then commented, “I have family from near there. You favor them — they’re Artises.” He rared back a little: “That’s my name!” In fact, he is a grandson of Leslie and Minnie Diggs Artis and a great-grandson of my great-great-grandmother Louvicey Artis Aldridge’s brother Napoleon Artis!]

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, July 2025.

Pioneer educator dies.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 9 May 1942.

Sallie Barbour‘s credit as Wilson County’s earliest proponent of the Rosenwald Fund is an interesting detail in this obituary. It’s also puzzling. The Stantonsburg School was in Stantonsburg. The Stantonsburg Street School, formerly known as the Colored Graded School and later formally renamed for Barbour, was on Stantonsburg Street in Wilson, but was built well before the Rosenwald era.

Barnes School glee club performs.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 5 June 1943.

The nineteen children of the Barnes Elementary School Glee Club performed at Saint Paul Disciple Church of Christ in April 1943 under the direction of teacher Margaret L. Morrison. Blanche Thomas Baker was principal of the school, which was on what is now Airport Boulevard.

——

  • Willie Smith
  • Lonnie Artis
  • Fannie D. Harrison — in the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Ben Harrison, 45; wife Daisy, 37; and daughter Fannie, 6.
  • Ethel M. Coleman — perhaps, in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 902 East Vance Street, William T. Peacock, 35, “shake tobacco” in tobacco factory; wife Emma L., 36; daughter Ethel Mae Coleman, 14; and lodgers Acue Brookley, 27, dry-cleaning presser, and wife Sadie, 22, washer at laundry company.
  • Helen Bass — — in the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Jim Bass, 48; wife Jennie, 46; and children James, 26, Virginia Bell, 21, Adell, 16, Mildred, 14, Robena, 12, and Hellen, 7.
  • Catherine Barnes — in the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer McKinley Barnes, 32; wife Heggar, 26; daughters Christine, 8, Katherine, 7, and Ruby, 1; niece Lizzie Mae, 20; and mother Lucy, 59.
  • Christine Barnes — see Catherine Barnes, above.
  • Bernice Bass — in the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Charlie Bass, 28; wife Lillie, 28; and children Bernice, 5, and Beatrice, 3.
  • Louise Darden — in the 1940 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer William Darden, 29; wife Ethel, 26; and children Jay W., 7, Louise, 5, Curtis, 4, Moselle, 2, Adell, 1, and Marcell, 4 months.
  • Floyd Coleman — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: street worker for city street department Floyd Coleman Sr., 52, widower, and son Floyd Jr., 13.
  • James Vailes — in the 1950 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer John Bullock, 63; wife Mary, 63; lodgers Odessa, 25, and James Vails, 18.
  • Molly Barnes — in the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Clarence Barnes, 29; wife Lessie, 27; and children Marie, 10, Molly Gray, 9, and Virginia, 2; and mother-in-law Mollie Baker, 50.
  • Celie Smith
  • Mae Frances Morgan
  • Mavona Melton
  • Marie Barnes — see Molly Barnes, above.
  • Rosa M. Roundtree — perhaps, in the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Winstead Mill Road, farmer James Roundtree, 59; wife Mary B., 56; and children Mary, 19, Eula, 17, and Rosa M., 8.
  • Mamie Lee Barnes 
  • George F. Dew — in the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Claud Dew, 49; wife Addie, 44; and sons Willie B., 21, and George Frank, 10.

 

B.W.A. Historical Marker Series, no. 24: Williamson School.

In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.

We been here.

WILLIAMSON SCHOOL

African-American elementary school built with Rosenwald funds ca. 1917 on present-day Willing Worker Rd. Consolidated with 8 other schools in 1951 when Springfield High School built.