"Rosenwald schools used to dot the landscape across eastern North Carolina, built to improve the education of African-American children.

A historical account lists 12 schools in Pitt County, many in areas I recognize, such as Ayden, Bethel, Farmville, Greenville, Pactolus and Simpson. But others were in areas or had names I’m not familiar with, such as Cherry Lane, Harris and Post Oak.

There also were Rosenwald schools in neighboring counties, such as Martin.

On Nov. 17, the Martin County Historical Society will present an overview on preserving the Hamilton Rosenwald School at 7 p.m. in Martin Memorial Library.

Carol Jones Shields of Scotland Neck, a native of Pitt County, will share findings, artifacts and plans for the site. She is a member of the Roanoke River Partners board that is coordinating the preservation project and is author of “Hamilton Rosenwald School Preservation Story: Preserving the Memories, the Faces and the Place.” Shields also will participate in the first National Rosenwald Conference to be held in June at Tuskegee University in Alabama."

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The Daily Reflector (11/7/2011)