The Rosenwald House

Childhood home of Julius Rosenwald, located at Lincoln Home NHS

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Significance:

Childhood Home of Julius Rosenwald

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

Amenities

3 listed

Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Internet/WiFi Available

Located only half a block away from the house where Abraham Lincoln raised his own family, this two-story frame house was the childhood home of Jewish-American Julius Rosenwald, who would go on to become a well-known businessman and philanthropist.  

Samuel and Augusta Rosenwald, both German Jewish immigrants, moved to Springfield in 1861. Their son Julius was born one year later. The family quickly became involved in their community, and by 1867 Samuel Rosenwald served as president of their congregation B’rith Sholom.  

As an adult, Julius Rosenwald would go on to invest in Sears and Roebuck company, and quickly rose through the organization becoming president in 1908. With what he said was more money than he could ever spend, Rosenwald focused on philanthropy donating more than 60 million dollars in his lifetime.  

Much of this philanthropy was to support the African American community through a variety of initiatives including YMCAs for African Americans, fellowships, and schools. One of his most impactful initiatives were "Rosenwald Schools". These schools were funded partly through Rosenwald but also required local community support. From 1917 to 1932 more than 5,000 Rosenwald schools were built across 15 states. By the time the last school was built more than 600,000 African American students had attended a Rosenwald school. 

Today the house is owned and operated by the National Park Service.