Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Segregated Park Service
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 18, 2020
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park became a unit of the National Park System in 1933, at the height of the "Jim Crow" era in the South. "Jim Crow" laws required separate public facilities for Caucasians and people of color. Although the National Park Service was not subject to state and local laws, NPS policies called for parks to abide by "local customs."
In the 1930s this building was a garage, and the restroom in front of you served as the "colored" restroom for male visitors to the park. African-American women used a room entered by the door on the side of the building. White visitors used the more spacious restrooms inside the visitor center. This photograph shows the new building in 1935. Under magnification, the sign on the door is clear.
[Captions:]
Above: the restroom as it appeared in 1935. The tiling and even the coat hook still exist. The park also planned and built segregated "lunching facilities" (picnic areas) for white and African-American visitors.
Left: A magnified view of the door in front of you. The National Park Service defended its widespread compliance with Jim Crow laws by claiming that segregation provided "the most satisfactory service to white and colored visitors." During the 1940s and 1950s, the NPS slowly, quietly dropped policies of segregation.
This exhibit was developed by students in the History and American Studies Department, University of Mary Washington.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.
Location. 38° 17.648′ N, 77° 28.041′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker is on Sunken Road, 0.1 miles north of Lafayette Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Winter Campaign Ends in Union Disaster (a few steps from this marker); Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Fredericksburg Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); Fredericksburg National Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sunken Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Sunken Road Walking Trail (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Field of Battle (about 400 feet away); Battered Buildings on Willis Hill (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
Additional keywords.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 18, 2020
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 4, 2023
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on March 5, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.