Madison County, Kentucky

Dublin Core

Title

Subject

Education; African Americans

Description

This collection contains materials related to Middlestown Consildated Rosenwald School. There are ephemera, student portaits and commencement programs.

"“Middletown Consolidated School, which was located on KY 595 in Madison County, KY, offered the only educational opportunity for African American students from Berea and southern Madison County, serving as a grammar school from 1927-1963. It was jointly funded by citizens of Berea, Berea College, and the Julius Rosenwald Foundation. Its first and only principle was Robert Henry Clay Mitchell Blythe.

Berea College deeded four acres to the Madison County Board of Education with a clause recalling the land if it ceased to be used for educational purposes; the College also donated playground and other equipment. Students from Berea College came to Middletown Consolidated School to do student teaching and observe the teaching staff. The school also was an outlet for service organizations, including the YMCA, was a Community Center, and acted as a hub for African American community activities. Construction funds came from the sale of three Colored schools: Fee Street, Glades, and Farristown; the work was done by members of the African American community.

The Middletown Consolidated School was no longer used for educating elementary school children after the integration of Madison County elementary schools in 1963, but it continued to be used by the community as a Central Community Center, served as a Head Start site, and was later renovated for use by the Berea College Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate(GEAR UP) Programs and subsequently as Partners for Education headquarters. A historical marker was placed on the building to honor its former role as the Middletown Consolidated School. The Boys & Girls Club of Madison County was also located on the site.” (Mitchell, Sharyn).