NC historians hoping to restore old school for students to learn racial justice, equity

Charlotte historians are hoping to save a building that was once home to slaves who lived and worked in the area.

The Siloam School in north Charlotte is one of thousands of Rosenwald-era schools built in the south to provide education to children while facing discrimination after slavery ended. Before the school was built, the area was home to enslaved people.

A restoration effort hopes to turn the school, a one-room building, into a venue for programs and school exhibits for grades K-12. Currently, a community fundraiser is in the works to move the school to the Charlotte's museum of history campus. The fundraiser has met more than two-thirds of its $1 million goal.

Once the project is complete, students will learn about topics such as the school's history along with racial justice and equity.