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

The Early Education Of Black Students In Winchester

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 24, 2016

1. The Early Education Of Black Students In Winchester Marker

Inscription. In 1875, when obvious that the city's black children were going to need a school, black Baptists who owned the Old Stone Church gave the city school board a 99-year lease on its building for $1. In return, the school board was charged with making the necessary repairs to turn the building into a school and maintain it. May 17, 1878 school board's minutes show the repairs totaled $446 — not an inconsequential sum in those days. For many years, the school was called the Winchester Colored School. In 1916, with the arrival of Powell W. Gibson as principal, the name was changed to Frederick Douglas School to honor the black abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. The second ‘s’ in Douglass’ name was omitted.

In 1924, the black community petitioned the city school board for a new school to replace the severely overcrowded Old Stone Church. The ‘new’ Douglas School opened at 598 N. Kent St in 1927 using funds from the Handley Trust. That facility served black children until the city schools were integrated in 1966.

(captions)
R. Page Hall (1st Principal 1875-1908) and Powell W. Gibson (3rd Principal 1916-1940) in front of Winchester

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Colored School

Faculty at Douglas School in 1938-1939. Front row: Kirk N. Gaskins, Sr. (4th Principal 1940-1966), Principal Powell W. Gibson, Simon Cook. Back row: Anna Q. Brooks Tokes, Lovelena Lomax Marcus, Blanche Gibson Moten, Nerissa Wright, and Hattie M. Lea. Winchester Colored School in Old Stone Church c. 1927. Building still stands at 306 E. Piccadilly St (opposite side of roundabout).

Douglas School still stands at 598 N. Kent St. c. 1927

All images courtesy of Stewart Bell, Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education.

Location. 39° 11.146′ N, 78° 9.653′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. It is at the intersection of North East Lane and East Piccadilly Street, on the right when traveling south on North East Lane. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 24, 2016

2. The Early Education Of Black Students In Winchester Marker

South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in 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: Dr. Taylor F. Finley (a few steps from this marker); Third Battle of Winchester (within shouting distance of this marker); Officer Hunter A. Edwards Memorial Circle (within shouting distance of this marker); The Virginia Woolen Company and Lewis Jones Knitting Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Winchester And Western Railroad & The C207 Caboose (within shouting distance of this marker); Ricky Lee Timbrook (within shouting distance of this marker); Jacob Baker Lot And Virginia City Addition (within shouting distance of this marker); Major General Daniel Morgan (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 942 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on December 8, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.