Galesville group renovating historic Rosenwald School

In the late 1800s, the then-president of Sears, Roebuck and Co. decided to use his vast wealth to help the less fortunate. Much of his philanthropy affected hundreds of thousands of African-American children throughout the South, including those right here in south county.

Julius Rosenwald was a self-made man whose ideas, intellect and drive led him to become president of the Sears department store chain.

Along his path to success he met important businessmen, educators and activists, including Paul Sachs, Rabbi Emil Hirsch and Booker T. Washington.

Rosenwald was so taken by Washington's book, "Up From...