The Light of Reconciliation / Now, Therefore Be It Resolved,
The Light of Reconciliation Illuminated in the Courthouse Bell Tower on July 21, 2008, by the Board of Supervisors of Prince Edward County, in honor of Barbara Rose Johns and the students of Robert Russa Moton High School, and all the children of our county for their historic role in ending public school segregation in the United States, and with sorrow for closing schools. When we raise our eyes to see this light, may we also incline our hearts and minds to shine our own light of reconciliation toward all people.
Now, therefore be it resolved, that we, the undersigned members of the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors, believe that the closing of public schools in our county from 1959 to 1964 was wrong; and we grieve for the way lives were forever changed, for the pain that was caused, and for how those locked doors shuttered opportunities and barricaded the dreams our children had for their own lifetimes; and for all wounds known and unknown; we regret those past actions.
William G. Fore, Chairman • Howard F. Simpson, Vice Chairman • Sally W. Gilfillan • Robert M. Jones • Charles W. McKay • James C. Moore • Lacy B. Ward • Mattie P. Wiley
An excerpt of the resolution adopted by the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors on July 8, 2008, and read aloud on July
this page online
Erected June 3, 2008, on the fiftieth anniversary of the 1959 Board decision.
Erected 2008 by Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is June 3, 1959.
Location. 37° 18.115′ N, 78° 23.548′ W. Marker is in Farmville, Virginia, in Prince Edward County. Marker is on North Main Street (Business U.S. 15) just south of East 3rd Street (Business U.S. 460), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 132 N Main St, Farmville VA 23901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street / Mayor J. David Crute / EACO Theatre (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beulah AME Church (about 400 feet away); First Baptist Church (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named First Baptist Church
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 180 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
