Rose Hill in Charlottesville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Jackson P. Burley High School
| | Charlottesville, Virginia - 1762 | |
Jackson P. Burley High School is named in memory of Jackson Price Burley, a distinguished educator, church worker, and community leader. The school opened in September 1951 with twenty-six teachers, a principal, assistant principal, secretary, two cafeteria workers, and six bus drivers serving 542 black students in grades eight through twelve. The curriculum offered college and vocational courses for professional and trade careers.
Jackson P. Burley was a high school for only sixteen years, yet it changed the lives of all the students who attended. Notable programs included fine arts, science and math, athletic teams, art clubs, debate team, Future Farmers of America, and chorus. Burley students went on to colleges, opened businesses, and joined the world of work.
Jackson P. Burley High School is also significant for the role it played in the history of Charlottesville's schools during the time of integration. Prior to 1950, there were three high schools for black students in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, including Esmont High School, Jefferson High School and Albemarle Training School. With the opening of Burley High School, they were combined into a single high school that served all the black students in the area. Following the integration of all City and County schools, a process begun in 1959 when Lane High School was integrated under court order, Burley closed its doors as a black high school in June 1967.
Majestically among the hills
'Neath God's great azure sky
Stands proudly with its arms outstretched
Our own dear Burley High
Erected 2010
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1967.
Location. 38° 2.38′ N, 78° 29.175′ W. Marker is in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is in Rose Hill. It is on Rose Hill Drive just south of Concord Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 Rose Hill Dr, Charlottesville VA 22903, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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: Walter Rock Greene Albert AP Moore Gymnasium (within
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 17, 2024
2. Jackson P. Burley High School Marker to the right of the building's entrance
Additional commentary.
1. Lack of capitalization of black on the marker
The City of Charlottesville erected this marker in 2010 prior to the Associated Press' 2020 announcement that they would be capitalizing Black when referring to individuals and groups of African descent. Prior to this announcement, there was no standard, although African American groups advocated for the capitalization for years. The Commonwealth of Virginia's marker was erected in 2021 after the standard was adopted and features the capitalized usage of Black.
— Submitted May 18, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 17, 2024
3. Virginia Landmarks and National Register plaque for the school
High School
1951 - 1967
is listed on the
Virginia Landmarks Register
and the
National Register
of Historic Places
2020
Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 330 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 18, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
