Stafford in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Stafford Training School
Erected 2014 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-231.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 5, 1961.
Location. 38° 24.248′ N, 77° 25.183′ W. Marker is in Stafford, Virginia, in Stafford County. Marker is on Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1739 Jefferson Davis Highway, Stafford VA 22554, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. From Indian Path to Highway (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trooper Jessica Jean Cheney (approx. 0.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Union Battery (approx. one mile away); 11th Corps Road (approx. one mile away); Union Army Double-Track Corduroy Road (approx. one mile away); German-Americans and the Eleventh Corps (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Union Battery (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stafford.
Regarding Stafford Training School. Inside the Rowser Building are several historical pictures of the Stafford Training School. Additionally, there is a plaque that was dedicated at the time the Stafford Training School was entered into the National Register of Historic Places. The plaque reads as follows:
The Stafford Training School was built in 1939 by the Public Works Administration after African-American parents raised the money to buy the land for a school. Also known as H. H. Poole, it was the only school in Stafford County were African-American students could receive instruction to beyond the seventh grade during segregation. The efforts of students who attended the school and their families led to the eventual desegregation of Stafford County schools in 1961, seven years after the Supreme Court issued it unanimous yet unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of Education that school segregation was unconstitutional. Other school systems in the Fredericksburg region desegregated soon after. The school is now known as the Rowser Building and houses Stafford County and community offices.
The Stafford Training School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
Dedicated June 18, 2013
Stafford County Board of Supervisors
Susan B Stimpson Chairman
Robert "Bob" Thomas, Jr. Vice Chairman
Jack R. Cavalier
Gary F. Snellings
Cord A. Sterling
Paul V. Milde, III
Ty A. Scheiber
Anthony J. Romanello, County Administrator
In appreciation of the Stafford County Branch NAACP, Frank White and Norman Schools, whose efforts secured the National Register and Virginia Landmark designations.
In honor of the students who's brave efforts led to the desegregation of Stafford County schools
Dorothia Montague • Cynthia Montague • Gordon Sherman White • Edward "Gary" Mercer • Lois Marie Vines • Stevenson "Steve" Tyler • Rudolph Beverly
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of Brown v. Board of Education markers.
Also see . . .
1. Stafford Training School, Stafford Co. Brief history of the building. (Submitted on October 18, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
2. National Register of Historic Places Registration form for the Stafford Training School. (Submitted on October 18, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 813 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on October 18, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.