Martinsville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Dry Bridge School
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 8, 2022
1. Dry Bridge School Marker
Inscription.
Dry Bridge School. . Henry County opened a new Dry Bridge School just south of here in 1928 after the School Improvement League, an organization of African Americans living east of Martinsville, campaigned under the leadership of the Rev. W. F. Geter to replace the original Dry Bridge Colored School. Funding came from the African American community, the public, and the Julius Rosenwald Fund, which helped build more than 5,000 schools for African Americans in the South. The school, led by teaching principals J. L. Hairston and the Rev. R. T. Anderson, served students in grades 1-8. Known as East Martinsville School after the city annexed this area in 1948, it was closed in 1968 as the city desegregated its schools.
Henry County opened a new Dry Bridge School just south of here in 1928 after the School Improvement League, an organization of African Americans living east of Martinsville, campaigned under the leadership of the Rev. W. F. Geter to replace the original Dry Bridge Colored School. Funding came from the African American community, the public, and the Julius Rosenwald Fund, which helped build more than 5,000 schools for African Americans in the South. The school, led by teaching principals J. L. Hairston and the Rev. R. T. Anderson, served students in grades 1-8. Known as East Martinsville School after the city annexed this area in 1948, it was closed in 1968 as the city desegregated its schools.
Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number A-136.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Rosenwald Schools series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 36° 41.569′ N, 79° 50.926′ W. Marker is in Martinsville, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of Church Street East (Business U.S. 58) and Boden Street, on the right when traveling east on Church Street East. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Martinsville VA 24112, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
