Local

Museum hopes to preserve remaining historic African American schools

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Museum of History is trying to teach people the stories of old African American schools.

There were 26 schools built when Jim Crow laws were in effect – seven buildings remain.

Officials with the museum hope to preserve structures such McClintock School, which was founded in 1885.

[Charlotte Museum of History given $50,000 to restore, preserve, move old school building]

"We lament a lot of our losses in Charlotte,” said Adria Focht, president and CEO of the museum. “A lot of development that has taken away some of architectural treasures, but there are still buildings here that deserve recognition and preserving."

In the video at the top of this webpage, education reporter Elsa Gillis asks school alumni and Focht why the push to preserve these buildings is so important.

The Charlotte Museum of History will kick off a new tour series, “Hidden History,” on Saturday by giving people a chance to visit some of Mecklenburg County’s historic Rosenwald Schools.

Click here for details.