PRESERVING THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION: DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION OF ROSENWALD SCHOOLS – A CASE STUDY ON THE TANKERSLEY SCHOOL IN HOPE HULL, ALABAMA, USA

Abstract

Established across the American South between 1917 and 1932, Rosenwald Schools were crucial for providing education to African American children during segregation. Now, many of these structures are abandoned and deteriorating, in urgent need of digital documentation and preservation. This paper introduces an innovative approach for using Matterport technology to capture immersive virtual tours and enhance Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) with high-resolution imagery. The Tankersley Rosenwald School in Hope Hull, Alabama serves as the case study. Additionally, this paper features traditional Reality Capture techniques, such as Terrestrial Laser Scanning and aerial photogrammetry, in combination with Matterport technology to create a detailed HBIM model of the historic school. This model enables architectural and structural analysis, informing suitable stabilization, conservation, and restoration strategies. It also acts as a powerful visualization tool, allowing stakeholders to safely examine the school's architectural, structural, and historical aspects. The virtual tour produced through Matterport provides valuable data for developing an accurate HBIM model in Revit, leading to more effective conservation approaches. The integration of these technologies showcases the potential for digital preservation of built heritage and emphasizes the importance of innovative methods in cultural heritage documentation. By digitally preserving these historically significant schools, this research supports the conservation and restoration of a vital aspect of African American educational history and raises awareness of their cultural importance.