Sponsors (8)
The bill creates a federally coordinated National Historical Park and Network to preserve Rosenwald Schools and expand public education about Black educational history—bringing cultural, stewardship, and local economic benefits—while imposing new federal costs, oversight obligations, and uneven coverage that could burden taxpayers, property owners, and small community groups.
Students, teachers, visitors, and the general public nationwide will gain improved access to and educational materials about Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools, preserving Black educational history and increasing public awareness.
State, local, and nonprofit partners (and the NPS) will get clearer federal responsibility, coordinated planning (boundary map and management plan), and technical support to streamline preservation and long-term stewardship.
Communities in Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia, Chicago (North Lawndale), and other associated locations will have key Rosenwald School sites and the historic Sears complex preserved and interpreted, protecting historic buildings and local heritage.
All taxpayers could face increased federal costs to establish, restore, operate, and administer the Park and Network and to fund grants and educational materials, and the bill does not set explicit authorization limits.
Private property owners, nonprofits, and community groups that accept federal assistance or become Network elements may face oversight, reimbursement obligations, conditions on property use, restrictions tied to official symbols, and other compliance costs that reduce flexibility.
Homeowners and local governments near designated park sites (including in Chicago) could see new management rules or regulatory/planning requirements affecting property use and local development.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Creates a National Historical Park for Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools, establishes a Rosenwald Schools National Network, and authorizes NPS management, cooperative agreements, and grants to preserve and interpret sites.
Introduced February 25, 2026 by Richard Joseph Durbin · Last progress February 25, 2026
Creates the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park to preserve and interpret Rosenwald Schools and Julius Rosenwald’s legacy, establishes a Rosenwald Schools National Network to connect and support remaining Rosenwald School sites nationwide, and directs the National Park Service to manage the park, enter cooperative agreements, and provide technical assistance and grants to partner sites. The Park’s initial boundary includes a 40-acre Sears complex site in North Lawndale, Chicago, and three named Rosenwald Schools in Maryland, South Carolina, and Virginia; the Secretary of the Interior must publish a land-acquisition determination and prepare a boundary map and a general management plan within three fiscal years after funds are first provided. The NPS is authorized to acquire interests by donation, purchase with donated funds, exchange, easement, or lease (with some location-specific restrictions), to enter cooperative agreements and MOUs with federal, state, local, tribal, nonprofit, and private partners, to create an official Network symbol and educational materials, and to solicit proposals and award grants to Network members for interpretation, preservation, research, and public access.