The Allen Grove Rosenwald School & the 4-H Rural Life Center
By Angelo Franceschina
Edited by Judy Cardwell & Keshia Horn
If you read Stephanie Duetsch’s article on the Allen Grove School, you can feel her passion about Cary Pittman who constructed the Allen Grove School in 1921 along with 30 other Rosenwald Schools. I place Cary Pittman’s achievements with Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington as one of the most respected persons in the history of Rosenwald schools in North Carolina. What makes the Allen Grove School special is that it is located on the 4H Rural Life Center. The Center is over 300 acres and has a historic building in the County Home which is the edifice of the campus and two other buildings with potential for National Register status; a children’s playhouse and a 1901 farm house. This does not include the Allen Grove School which is listed as eligible for the National Register.
When I first visited the Allen Grove School I saw over a 100 young children actively involved in agricultural educational programs and recreation. There was even a group of kids using the school for a class. I was greeted by Joe Long of Agricultural Extension who has much passion about the Rural Life Center as I have about preserving Rosenwald Schools. Joe designed the concept of a rural site were young people can experience “hands on agricultural education.” The Life Center also provides senior citizen day camps, rodeos, preschool nutrition programs, an amphitheater, hosting harvest days and an agricultural museum. Even with all the programs of the Rural Life Center, the buildings and site have been underutilized and their maintenance deferred, not for lack of commitment but a struggling economy. Even with the struggles the agricultural education for the youth continues on.
In my first visit I realized the restoration of Allen Grove School would be more than just preserving a part of our history, but the integral piece that can stimulate the revitalization of the Rural Life Center. The Allen Grove School is in a visible location and its restoration could bring new energy to the Center. Plans are being developed to restore it so they can continue using it for agricultural education. I would imagine that Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington would be honored by the passion that Joe Long and others have shown in their commitment to preserving the value education.
The preservation of the School is vital to the growth and improvement of the Life Center. The center for agricultural development in Halifax County is a place where farmers, wholesalers, retailers, producers and educational institutions can meet and discuss how to improve farming techniques and how their product can be better marketed. A library has started but it needs to be expanded to include information that can assist the local growers and farmers. Let’s not forget it needs to be a place where the community can continue to meet, socialize, plan programs and activities such as community gardens. It is especially important for the many not just for the Allen Grove School alumni, but all of the lost Rosenwald Schools alumni, to preserve the memories and the legacy. We cannot forget what they have done for Halifax County.
©2011 Angelo Franceschina
