Shiloh Rosenwald School opens as new permanent history exhibit

MACON CO., AL (WSFA) - A piece of history in Macon County is being preserved in a big way.

The historic Shiloh Rosenwald School was first built in 1913. It was one of the first six schools built to provide quality educational opportunities for African Americans.

Dorothy Moseley still remembers her time as a student at Shiloh Rosenwald School.

"This school was a hall of learning," said Moseley.

After closing in 1964, it has now reopened its doors as a permanent museum exhibit.

"They can see where we have come from. It was a long journey and it was a struggle," said Moseley.

With the original flooring, chalkboards, and windows still in place, entering takes you back in history to experience what education was like prior to personal computers and cell phones.

"Never let it rest until the good is better and the better is best. We were taught that here," said Barbara Mahone, Shiloh Community Restoration Foundation, Chairman.

This project was 10 years in the making. Shiloh Community Restoration Foundation partnered with the Middle Tennessee State University Center for Historic Preservation.

"Thus far, we have students coming from as far as Boston and Kansas," said Mahone.

This exhibit also explores a nationally significant event that this landmark was associated with.

"It was one of the places associated with the Tuskegee Syphilis Study in the 1940's and 50's," said Carroll Van West, member of the Shiloh Community Restoration Foundation.

"This is a place that represented the best of mankind and the worst of mankind," said Mahone.

Shiloh Rosenwald School has been listed on the national register of historic places by the United States Department of Interior.

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