Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School Prepares Grand Opening Events for 2022
Celebrations will begin in February 2022 as part of Black History Month, and continue through the annual homecoming in September 2022.

There is a sweetness and a uniqueness about history, and it comes from the people within it and those impacted by it.
During the mid-1900s, long after the crumbling of Reconstruction and in the midst of Jim Crow suppression, there was such a history that began in Yancey County, migrated toward and into Madison County and the town of Mars Hill, and eventually reached Asheville and Buncombe County.
The families of Mars Hill, working with the vision and funding established by Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald, created in their community, church, and families a school. It was a so-called Rosenwald School, designed to educate several hundred rural “colored” children, as African Americans were called at the time.
The school was built and opened in the late 1920s and operated until 1965. Then the building—owned by that time by the Madison County Board of Education—sat alone, deteriorating, abused, sad and sad-looking, used for curing tobacco and hosting basketball games as it became covered with vines and undergrowth. Then, a dozen years ago, a group of alumni and former Madison County schools employees chose to dedicate themselves to saving the building—and save it, they have.
Now, nearly a century after its original opening, the community will honor the ancestors, acknowledge the alumni, and welcome the descendants of the school and the Long Ridge community back to the building they built.
Celebrations will begin in February 2022 as part of Black History Month, and continue through the annual homecoming in September 2022. The MHARS Friends Group and The Rosenwald Collaborative Group include an Asheville synagogue, a number of involved churches, and more community members than we can list here.
Mark your calendars so you can attend an event, or participate in one, or even volunteer to help create one, or create new contacts with alumni and descendants. Remember that all dates and times are tentative due to Covid and winter weather. Masks are a must! For most of the events, there is no fee, though the groups lovingly and graciously accept Love Offerings to help support the programs.
Special Events Planned
Throughout the month of February the Friends of MHARS, along with county, community, and education leaders in Madison County, will be working on the application for the NC Civil Rights Trail marker program, launched in 2020 by the NC African American Heritage Commission. This program seeks to mark both well-known and under-shared civil rights events in communities across the state.
February 2022 Schedule
- Wed., Feb. 16: MHU/Bridget TPS Appalachian Diversity Class 9 a.m.
- Fri., Feb. 18: MHARS Friends Meeting 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; Community Open House 1-4 p.m.
- Sat., Feb. 19: Community Open House 1-4 p.m.
- Tue., Feb. 22: Celebrating the first correspondence requesting Rosenwald funding, 12-3 p.m.
- Sun., Feb. 27: Mars Hill Baptist and other Mars Hill churches visitation 2-5 p.m.
March 2022 Schedule
Additional details coming in March.
- Fri., March 18: Gathering to honor Ancestral & Tribal Heritages of Native Americans and African Americans
- Sat., March 19: 3 p.m.—Honoring the Ancestors & Their traditions: Tilling and Turning of the soil; Planting and Preparing For New Beginnings
- Sun., March 20, 3 p.m.—It’s Time: Let’s Go to Church
Greater Works Church of God in Christ Hosts Documentary
Harriet Tubman wrote, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
The visionary dreamer Booker T. Washington, coupled with the heart and financial support of Julius Rosenwald, began a new phase of history over a century ago, when imposed obstacles of White society created a barrier to education for “colored children.” Their shared vision created more than 5,000 schools in the South, including the Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School.
Greater Works Church of God in Christ, after learning of this educational history, decided to support the alumni of MHARS. The church has chosen to honor history and acknowledge the journey the Friends Group has undertaken. Therefore, on May 15, 2022, Greater Works Church of God in Christ will host the documentary film Rosenwald.

Historic Jewish-Black Ties Renewed and Strengthened
The Rosenwald Collaborative was formed in November 2021 to include Jewish and non-Jewish institutions to explore an extraordinary relationship between Julius Rosenwald, a Jewish philanthropist who for many years served as CEO of Sears, Roebuck, and Booker T. Washington, educator, author, and dominant leader in the African American community at the turn of the twentieth century, who together established the Rosenwald schools across the South.
Under the leadership of Congregation Beth Israel congregant Sally Gooze, the creative leadership and input of Fatimáh R. Shabazz and her support team, the Rosenwald Collaborative was established and continues to plan programs that will familiarize the WNC community with the efforts of Rosenwald and Washington in developing schools for black students throughout the South.
Events and special programs in Asheville and Mars Hill will continue monthly through September 2022, culminating in the Annual Homecoming weekend in Mars Hill.
The Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School is located at at 225 Mount Olive Drive, off of Long Ridge Road in Mars Hill, NC 28754. For more information, please visit andersonrosenwaldschool.com.
This story compiled from information provided by Fatimáh Shabazz, alumna, Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School; Sally Gooze, Congregation Beth Israel; Pastor Ronald Gates, Greater Works COGIC; and The Urban News staff.