Manassas, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Manassas Industrial School
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Jennie Dean Memorial
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 30, 2019
1. The Manassas Industrial School / Jennie Dean Memorial
Welcome to Manassas Industrial School/Jennie Dean Memorial, part of The Manassas Museum System. This Memorial tells the story of an institution of learning that was unique in Northern Virginia and of the visionary African-American woman who was the guiding force behind its creation.
Jane Serepta Dean (popularly known as Jennie) was born a slave in Prince William county about 1852. In the years after the Civil War she left her home to travel to Washington, DC, where she worked as a housekeeper. This experience aroused in Jennie Dean a spirit of determination to do whatever she could do to provide better vocational and academic training for people of color in Northern Virginia.
Chartered in 1893, the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth was dedicated on September 3, 1894. Among the dignitaries attending the ceremony were Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross; Eppa Hunton, former Confederate general and United States senator; and Frederick Douglass, the noted abolitionist orator, who delivered the dedicatory address.
Starting as a private residential institution, the school evolved into a regional
this page online
Erected by Manassas Museum System, City of Manassas.
Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Civil Rights • Education • Industry & Commerce • Sports • Women. In addition, it is included in the Clara Barton, and the Virginia, City of Manassas series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 3, 1894.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 44.78′ N, 77° 29.28′ W. Marker was in Manassas, Virginia. It could be reached from Prince William Street 0.1 miles west of Wellington Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 9601 Prince William Street, Manassas VA 20110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and memorial was in the Washington Metropolitan
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 30, 2019
2. The Manassas Industrial School / Jennie Dean Memorial
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth (here, next to this marker); Jennie Serepta Dean (here, next to this marker); Supporting a Cause (here, next to this marker); Carnegie Building (a few steps from this marker); Howland Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Campus Model (within shouting distance of this marker); Hackley Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Charter Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Manassas Industrial School / Jennie Dean Memorial (has been replaced with this
Photographed by Sean D. Jones, October 28, 2020
3. Statue of Jennie Dean on the grounds of the school
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 935 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on October 28, 2020, by Sean D. Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
