Waterford in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Second Street School
15611 Second Street
Built 1867
Historic Use
School for African Americans of the area, 1867-1957; served also as a church for that community.
Current Use
Site of a living-history program for area fourth graders role playing actual African-American students of 1880. More than 50,000 Loudoun Students have attended.
This is one of the older one-room schoolhouses in Loudoun County and may be the oldest African-American house of worship. The simple one-room school was built in 1866. Opened under the auspices of the Freedmen's Bureau, it was Waterford's first school for the black community. The Friends' Association of Philadelphia, Waterford's local Quaker meeting, and a "colored educational board" provided additional support. The new building served from the beginning as church as well as school. African Methodist services were held here until 1891, when John Wesley Church was built near the mill.
The Waterford Foundation acquired the building in 1977. An easement is held by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Waterford Foundation, Inc.
Our mission is to preserve the historic buildings and open spaces of the National Historic Landmark of Waterford, Virginia, and, through education, to increase the public's knowledge of life and work in
this page online
Erected by Waterford Foundation, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the National Historic Landmarks, and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 39° 11.068′ N, 77° 36.798′ W. Marker is in Waterford, Virginia, in Loudoun County. It is on 2nd Street (Virginia Route 662) just north of Janney Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15612 2nd St, Waterford VA 20197, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Waterford (approx. 0.2 miles away); Waterford Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Old School (approx. Ό mile away); Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Loudoun County (approx. Ό mile away); Bond Street Barn, Waterford (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fairfax Meeting of Friends (approx. 0.4 miles away); Independent Loudoun Virginia Rangers (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Waterford (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterford.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 210 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
