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

Florence Graded School

Photographed By James Thomson, January 19, 2011

1. Florence Graded School Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Florence Graded School was named for Florence Bowser, a noted educator who was instrumental in having the school constructed. It was built in 1920 with state and local funds and a grant from the Julius Rosenwald Fund which had been created in 1922 to finance elementary schools for southern African Americans. Some 5,000 Rosenwald schools were built in 15 states, including 308 in Virginia; 9 were in Suffolk (then Nansemond County). Elements of the original frame building survive in the present brick structure. The adjoining Florence Bowser Elementary School was completed in 1963.

Erected 1967 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. In addition, it is included in the Rosenwald Schools, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 36° 49.4′ N, 76° 29.45′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. Marker is on Nansemond

Florence Bowser School historic building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Thomson

2. Florence Bowser School historic building

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Parkway (Virginia Route 337) 1.3 miles west of Shoulders Hill Road (Virginia Route 626), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4540 Nansemond Parkway, Suffolk VA 23435, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Glebe Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hargrove's Tavern (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Glebe Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bennett's Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sleepy Hole Ferry (approx. half a mile away); Yeates School (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.

Also see . . . Florence Bowser Elementary School. (Submitted on January 19, 2011, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2011, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. This page has been viewed 1,126 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2011, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.