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Old Town West in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Carver Nursery School / Post 129

City of Alexandria Est. 1749

 
 
Carver Nursery School / Post 129 Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 26, 2019
1. Carver Nursery School / Post 129 Marker
Inscription.
This modest, wood-frame building has played an important role in the segregated history of Alexandria. During World War II, the federal government encouraged women to join the war effort by providing safe and affordable day care. In Alexandria, as elsewhere, racial segregation was the norm; the Carver School was completed in 1944 and operated as a segregated nursery school for children of African American war workers. After the war, federal support for day care ended but Alexandria's working mothers lobbied the city to keep the nurseries open. The city agreed to operate two white nurseries and the Carver School, but doubled the monthly fees to $27. In the black community, social clubs helped fund Carver students. The nursery ultimately closed in 1950 and the building then served as a segregated American Legion post. By 2010, the building was vacant and neglected and came close to demolition. It was finally preserved and adaptively reused in 2014.

"I have been at the Carver Nursery School a long time, and have enjoyed working with pupils, but when janitorial duties were added, I had no alternative but to resign," said Mrs. Smith, a graduate of Spelman College and Atlanta University. Washington Afro-American, February 16, 1946

City's Controversial Decision, 1946
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decided to end janitorial services at the nursery schools in 1946 to save money. At the Carver School, the two professional teachers, Lucille G. Smith and Velma D. Leigh, were required to perform janitorial duties including cleaning the building and maintaining the furnace. When it was learned that white teachers were not subject to the order, the teachers resigned. They were quickly replaced by a single teacher who agreed to perform the janitorial work.

New Home for William Thomas Post 129
In 1950, the Carver School became the home of American Legion Post 129. While the U.S. military was desegregated during the Korean War, veterans' organizations remained segregated for a number of years afterward. Formed in 1931 as the "colored" post in Alexandria, Post 129 was named after Private William Thomas, one of two African Americans from the city killed in World War I. He and Private Christopher Cloxom died in battle in 1918. In the 1950s and 1960s, the post offered social activities and educational and sports programs.
 
Erected by City of Alexandria, Virginia.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African AmericansEducationWar, World I
Carver Nursery School / Post 129 Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 26, 2019
2. Carver Nursery School / Post 129 Marker
Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Virginia, The City of Alexandria series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 16, 1946.
 
Location. 38° 48.451′ N, 77° 3.131′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town West. Marker is on North Fayette Street south of Queen Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker stands in the Old Town West neighborhood of Alexandria. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 North Fayette Street, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Carver School (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Port City (about 700 feet away); The Growth of Upper King Street (about 800 feet away); The Baggett and Hellmuth Slaughterhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alexandria, D.C. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Freedom House Museum (approx. 0.2 miles away); Third Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Harris House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 258 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on January 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024