The J.W. Randolph School was constructed in 1928 as a public school for

African-American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ensl ...

students in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The building was vacated as a school in 2000. In 2006, the structure was designated a Mississippi Landmark.

History

Around 1920, a

Black Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white ...

civic organization petitioned for a new school to be built for African-American students in Pass Christian. In 1927-28, the school was constructed at a cost of $24,000. Construction financing was provided through public funding and private donations, including the

Rosenwald Fund The Rosenwald Fund (also known as the Rosenwald Foundation, the Julius Rosenwald Fund, and the Julius Rosenwald Foundation) was established in 1917 by Julius Rosenwald and his family for "the well-being of mankind." Rosenwald became part-owner of S ...

. Originally designated as the ''Harrison County Training School'', the name was changed in 1939 to honor a former school principal, J.W. Randolph. When

school segregation School segregation is the division of people into different groups in the education system by characteristics such as race, religion, or ethnicity. See also *'' D.H. and Others v. the Czech Republic'' *School segregation in the United States *Single ...

came to an end in 1969, the building was rededicated as the Pass Christian Middle School. After 2000, the building no longer served as a public school. Between 2000 and 2005, the building complex was used as a

Senior Citizen Old age refers to ages nearing or surpassing the life expectancy of human beings, and is thus the end of the human life cycle. Terms and euphemisms for people at this age include old people, the elderly (worldwide usage), OAPs (British usage ...

Center, Boys and Girls Club, and a branch office for Harrison County

Human Services Human services is an interdisciplinary field of study with the objective of meeting human needs through an applied knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall qua ...

. In August 2005, the structure was severely damaged by winds and storm surge from Hurricane Katrina. Although considered for demolition after the storm, the school was saved by a coalition of former students, community activists, and preservationists. Restoration efforts began in 2009 with funding from public and private grants. The renovated school was dedicated on January 22, 2013, to be used as a senior citizen center and for social events.

References

{{reflist Mississippi Landmarks Schools in Harrison County, Mississippi Rosenwald schools in Mississippi 1928 establishments in Mississippi School buildings completed in 1928 Historically segregated African-American schools in Mississippi