Preserving History: The Legacy of South Fulton Rosenwald High School

The South Fulton Rosenwald High School closed its doors in 1963 following the integration of Obion County Schools. Today, only the gymnasium remains standing, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Ken-Tenn Homecoming Committee, which worked tirelessly to prevent its demolition.

In recent years, the building has deteriorated to the point where it can no longer serve as a meeting place. Until repairs can be made, Discovery Park is assisting in the preservation of the school’s artifacts, which have been safely stored in our artifact storage.

Built in 1926, the school was part of the Rosenwald Program, an initiative by Julius Rosenwald (then president of Sears, Roebuck and Company) at the request of Booker T. Washington. This program provided funding to build schools for black children across the American South. The Julius Rosenwald Fund was instrumental in constructing 4,997 schools, with an estimated 354 built in Tennessee alone.

To view more photos from the Ken-Tenn Homecoming Committee gathering at Discovery Park, visit our Flickr Gallery.