Saving the Eleanor Roosevelt School: A Conversation with Preservationist Voncher Walker
Say It With History: Conversations That Shaped The Past with Holley Snaith
Release Date: 08/06/2025
Saving the Eleanor Roosevelt School: A Conversation with Preservationist Voncher Walker
Say It With History: Conversations That Shaped The Past with Holley Snaith
Historic preservation is more than saving buildings—it’s about honoring stories, communities, and the legacies that shaped who we are. In this episode, we delve into the inspiring story of the Eleanor Roosevelt School—the last of the Rosenwald Schools, born from a visionary partnership between philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and educator Booker T. Washington. Located in Warm Springs, Georgia, this historic institution was built with the support of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the local community. We explore its origins, its impact, and the...
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Introducing Say It With History: Conversations That Shaped The Past with Holley Snaith
Say It With History: Conversations That Shaped The Past with Holley Snaith
I am Holley Snaith—historian, writer, and your host. Say It With History is a show about the people, stories, and unexpected threads of the past that shape how we think, create, and connect today. In each episode, I sit down with authors, artists, podcasters, educators, and creatives whose work is rooted in history—but always speaking to the present. From overlooked historical figures and cultural movements to the way history shows up in books, films, classrooms, and everyday conversations, we’ll explore it all with curiosity, depth, and a little bit of fun. If you love a good...
info_outlineHistoric preservation is more than saving buildings—it’s about honoring stories, communities, and the legacies that shaped who we are.
In this episode, we delve into the inspiring story of the Eleanor Roosevelt School—the last of the Rosenwald Schools, born from a visionary partnership between philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and educator Booker T. Washington.
Located in Warm Springs, Georgia, this historic institution was built with the support of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the local community. We explore its origins, its impact, and the remarkable efforts of Voncher and her brother Debron, who are working tirelessly to preserve this vital piece of Black history.
You’ll hear about the challenges they’ve faced, the rich legacy of the Rosenwald School movement, and the enduring influence of Eleanor Roosevelt’s advocacy for human rights and education.
This episode is a tribute to resilience, community, and the power of preserving our shared history.
Voncher Walker is an entrepreneur and investor who, along with her brother Debron Walker, purchased the historic Eleanor Roosevelt School in Warm Springs, Georgia in 2020. This National Registry landmark is one of the original Rosenwald Schools built with funding from the Julius Rosenwald Fund and personal contributions from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. As the owner of The Eleanor Roosevelt School, Walker is transforming the 1936 school into a museum, event space, and educational tourism destination while preserving its legacy as part of the network that educated over 660,000 Black children across the South.
Links
Eleanor Roosevelt School: http://erso1936.com
YouTube Video: Siblings acquire a National Treasure, Eleanor Roosevelt - Last Rosenwald School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zkE-Sh2bfY
Voncher’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_voncher/
Voncher’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@its_voncher
Holley’s Links
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/sayitwithhistory
Website: www.holleysnaith.com
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