Heritage Montgomery is excited to unveil a new video spotlighting the Smithville School Museum & Education Center, a vital piece of Montgomery County’s cultural and educational heritage.

From 1927 to 1952, the Smithville School served as a beacon of education for African American children during the segregated Jim Crow era. It is one of nearly 5,000 “Rosenwald Schools” built across the Southern United States, made possible by a partnership between local communities and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, who provided matching funds for their construction.

Today, the Smithville School Museum & Education Center is a testament to these communities’ resilience and pursuit of educational equity. The museum features an exhibit space dedicated to preserving and sharing this important history. The Montgomery County chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity for African American men, now stewards the building, ensuring its legacy lives on.

This video invites viewers to explore the Smithville School’s inspiring story, highlighting its role as a community resource and a symbol of perseverance.