Suffolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Florence Graded School

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 11, 2023

1. Florence Graded School Marker

Inscription. Florence Graded School was named for Florence Bowser, a noted educator who was instrumental in having the school constructed. It was built here ca. 1920 with contributions from the local Black community, public funds, and a grant from the Julius Rosenwald Fund, which was created in 1917 after Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington had partnered in a school-building campaign. The fund financed more than 5,000 school buildings for African Americans in 15 states across the South, including more than 300 in Virginia. A larger Florence Bowser Elementary School was dedicated here in 1963. It closed in 2016 and was replaced by a new building in 2018.

Erected 2023 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-271.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Rosenwald Schools series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 36° 49.429′ N, 76° 29.525′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. It is on Nansemond Pkwy (Virginia Route 337) west of Day Farm Lane, on

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the right when traveling west. Located in front of Florence Bowser Elementary School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4540 Nansemond Pkwy, Suffolk VA 23435, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Glebe Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Hargrove's Tavern (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Glebe Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Bennett's Home (approx. ¼ mile away); Sleepy Hole Ferry (approx. half a mile away); Yeates School

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 11, 2023

2. Florence Graded School Marker

(approx. half a mile away); James Bowser, Revolutionary Soldier (approx. 0.7 miles away); John Smith Explores the Chesapeake (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Florence Graded School (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Also see . . . Education trailblazer honored with new Historical Marker. (Submitted on October 13, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Florence Graded School Marker unveiling image. Click for full size.

Department of Historic Resources, September 22, 2023

3. Florence Graded School Marker unveiling

Kimberly Martin celebrates the new historical marker for her great-grandmother, Florence Bowser Elementary School on Friday September 22, 2023.

Florence Bowser Elementary School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 11, 2023

4. Florence Bowser Elementary School

Florence Bowser Elementary School sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 11, 2023

5. Florence Bowser Elementary School sign

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 707 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 13, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.