They were denied schooling because of slavery laws that made it a crime to teach slaves how to read, write and receive any type of formal education.

Then Freedom came, and in the days following Emancipation, freed African Americans in the rural South began steps to build and open schools to educate their children. They put together their nickels, dimes and pennies, to build schools for the education of their children.

A program Thursday at the Marengo County History and Archives Museum will highlight the history of eight early African American schools in Marengo and Hale Counties, their struggles and obstacles to educate, and the two prominent men, one Jewish and one African American who came to their rescue.

The program will also present early photographs (1930s) of these schools, as well as other documentation in the building of these schools for African American education in the rural south.

The free event is presented by the Marengo County History and Archives Museum and the Marengo County Historical Society. It will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday. The museum is located at 101 Walnut Avenue in downtown Demopolis.