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

Douglas School

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Douglas School Marker

Inscription. Douglas School, Winchester's public school for Black children, originated ca. 1878 with classes in the Old Stone Church. In the 1920s, overcrowding prompted citizens to campaign for better facilities. Built with state funds and a bequest from John Handley, the new Douglas School opened here in 1927 to serve grades 1-9. The building, later enlarged, offered a full 12 grades by 1952 and became a regional high school with students from nearby counties. School, church, and civic programs held here put Douglas at the center of Black community life. Winchester desegregated its schools in 1966. Renovations completed in 2022 prepared the building for use as school district offices and a museum.

Erected 2024 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-4 9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 39° 11.563′ N, 78° 9.544′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. It is on North Kent Street south of Beau Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near

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this postal address: 598 North Kent Street, 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 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: “Let the Good Times Roll” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spottswood Poles (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Kirby, Jazz Musician (approx. ¼ mile away); Evans Family Memories (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Loudoun (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Loudoun (approx. 0.4 miles away); Washington's Well (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of Fort Loudoun (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.

Also see . . . A dream becomes reality as Douglas School renovations officially unveiled.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Douglas School Marker

(Submitted on May 25, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Douglas School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. Douglas School

Douglas School Virginia Historic Landmark & National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

4. Douglas School Virginia Historic Landmark & National Register of Historic Places Plaque

Douglas School Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

5. Douglas School Sign

The Douglas School Museum image. Click for more information.

via Winchester Public Schools, unknown

6. The Douglas School Museum

Winchester Public Schools website entry
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 25, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 6. submitted on July 22, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.