Worcester Co. Heritage Week kicks off, Germantown School Community Heritage Center highlighted

BERLIN, Md. – Sunday marked the start of Worcester County’s Heritage Week, and Germantown School Community Heritage Center (GSCHC) is shedding some light on the history that lies within the school.

“It has been a place to recapture the past and to look toward the future,” says Barbara A. Purnell, a Germantown school alumni, and member of the GSCHC.

Almost 100 years ago, young African American students sat at desks inside the Germantown School. Now, the school serves as a historical and cultural community center.

“I hope we can continue to enlarge our museum with artifacts and memorabilia, that will show that period of time and enlighten the future generations,” says Gabriel Purnell, a Germantown school alumni.

We’re told Germantown school was actually a Rosenwald school, founded by Julius Rosenwald, built primarily for the education of African-American children during the early 20th century.

“Rosenwald gave seed money to the communities for schools in the communities for under-served blacks for schools,” says Barbara.

Students like Barbara who attended the school tell 47 ABC, this was the only school they could go to for elementary school. Between long walks to school, air-less small buses, and only two teachers and one classroom to share for grades first through fifth grade, they still experienced a better education than they ever could have hoped for. One student even thanking one of his past teachers. “Ms. Clark really was a great influence on us, cause everybody remembered her and she still lives today, she’s over 100 years old,” says Gabriel.

Gabriel also tells us the school was once torn down and used for a barn. However, through their hard work to revitalize it, there is now much to be learned from this center, a part of history that once was lost. “This can show the younger community some of what we had to endure to be educated, the challenges,” says Gabriel.

Both Gabriel and Barbara also say, and now seeing it come back alive today is something they’re honored to be a part of. “We’re just proud to have it in the community, a gathering place, a place for all people,” comments Barbara.

The community center is always looking for donations to help gather more original artifacts to showcase. However, the community center can be used for more than just a museum, but community events as well.

If you want to find out more about the history, or how you can donate, just visit their website.