Orange in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Orange Graded School

Rosenwald Funded

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 15, 2015

1. Orange Graded School Marker

Inscription. Orange Graded School, built in 1925 to replace the African American schoolhouse on West Main Street, stood here. Of the several county schools for black students, Orange Graded was the only one built using the Julius Rosenwald Fund, which was established in 1917 by the president of Sears, Roebuck and Company to construct schools for African Americans across the rural South. Of the $6,200 building cost, 40 percent was raised by the local African American community. This four-teacher standard plan school was one of the larger Rosenwalds built in Virginia. Gussie Baylor Taylor was recruited to teach in 1925 and later served as the school's supervisor.

Erected 2014 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number JJ-31.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Rosenwald Schools, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 38° 14.406′ N, 78° 7.192′ W. Marker is in Orange, Virginia, in Orange County. It is on Dailey Drive west of Caroline Street (U.S. 15) and Berry Hill Road (Virginia Route 20), on the left when traveling west. It is just

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past Prospect Heights Middle School. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orange VA 22960, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Virginia

and in the Piedmont.

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: Lafayette’s Tour (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Thomas Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gen. R.E. Lee (approx. 0.4 miles away); Capt. Andrew Maples Jr., Tuskegee Airman (approx. half a mile away); Mayhurst (approx. half a mile away); Montpelier and Madison's Tomb (approx. 0.6 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orange.

Regarding Orange Graded School. The school building is no longer standing.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for Rosenwald School. “Julius Rosenwald and his family established The Rosenwald Fund in 1917 for "the well-being of mankind." Unlike other endowed foundations, which were designed to fund themselves in perpetuity, The Rosenwald Fund was intended to use all of its funds for philanthropic purposes. It donated over 70 million dollars to public schools, colleges and universities, museums, Jewish charities and black institutions before funds were completely depleted in 1948.” (Submitted on October 23, 2015.)

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 15, 2015

2. Orange Graded School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,511 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 23, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the school • Can you help?