Richmond in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Westwood Community
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, December 17, 2022
1. The Westwood Community Marker
Inscription.
The Westwood Community. . Formerly enslaved African Americans established Westwood Village here after the Civil War. Residents built houses, a church, a school, and businesses, forming a vibrant, self-sustaining community with many social and cultural organizations. The City of Richmond annexed Westwood from Henrico County in 1942. In the mid-1940s, residents resisted several attempts by the city to demolish the community and replace it with a park. Residents also combated segregation in Richmond's public schools. A student from Westwood became the first African American to attend Westhampton Junior High (in 1961) and Thomas Jefferson High (in 1962) after a federal court decision in Warden v. Richmond School Board.
Formerly enslaved African Americans established Westwood Village here after the Civil War. Residents built houses, a church, a school, and businesses, forming a vibrant, self-sustaining community with many social and cultural organizations. The City of Richmond annexed Westwood from Henrico County in 1942. In the mid-1940s, residents resisted several attempts by the city to demolish the community and replace it with a park. Residents also combated segregation in Richmond's public schools. A student from Westwood became the first African American to attend Westhampton Junior High (in 1961) and Thomas Jefferson High (in 1962) after a federal court decision in Warden v. Richmond School Board.
Erected 2019 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-121.)
Location. 37° 34.562′ N, 77° 30.475′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker is at the intersection of Willow Lawn Drive and Dunbar Street, in the median on Willow Lawn Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23226, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 253 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 17, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
