Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is unprocessed but open for research. Student information in these unprocessed materials may be RESTRICTED under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The Archives staff may redact privacy protected information. Documents can be viewed in their entirety (without redaction) 75 years after the date of creation. Types of documents requiring RESTRICTION may include: personally identifiable student information in scholarship applications, change of school forms, term reports, and other records; test results; health information, including vaccination records; materials related to the Pupil Placement Board and containing student information. Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia, 2.2-3705.5); Virginia Health Records Privacy Act (Code of Virginia, 32.1-127.1:03); Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99). It is strongly suggested that patrons wishing to view this collection contact Archives Research Services prior to visiting the Library. The collection may not be available on the same day requested due to the need to review the unprocessed materials for privacy restricted information.

Use Restrictions

Confidential information less than 75 years of age that may be encountered during research must not be recorded, published, publicized, or re-disclosed to any other party for any purpose.

Preferred Citation

Warren County (Va.) Public School Records, 1915-1976. Local government records collection, Warren County Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Acquisition Information

This collection came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of papers from the Warren County Public Schools under the accession numbers 44579 and 44610.

Historical Information

On September 15, 1958, Governor J. Lindsay Almond Jr. closed Warren County High School, the first school held in violation of his statewide mandate against desegregation.

In 1958, James W. Kilby led a group of black families in filing a lawsuit that forced Warren County High School to admit blacks. The battle was bitter, but on February 18, 1959, three Kilby children were among 20 black students who walked up a grassy hill, past hecklers and policemen, and into the school. It was the first challenge to Virginia's "Massive Resistance" laws and a precursor to such battles as the one that would close Prince Edward County schools for five years. Material concerning the lawsuit is included in this collection, as are the deliberations of the school board.

Scope and Content

Warren County (Va.) Public School Records, 1915-1976, include school records and case histories for high school student plaintiffs, including Kilby v. Warren County School Board; School board minutes, 1946-1977; teacher term reports, 1924-1976; payrolls for teachers and pupil transportation, 1931-1943; files related to World War II Production Training and National Defense Training Program; school census, 1920, 1925; Superintendent's record of teacher certificates, 1915-1941; files concerning applications for admission to Front Royal High School by African American students; applicants for change in school assignment and test results, 1958-1961; school board correspondence and files; teacher reports (grades and attendance), 1946-1967; choice of school forms and applications for scholarships; and Pupil Placement Board material.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Warren County (Va.) Public Schools. Office of the Assistant Superintendent.

Subjects:

• African Americans -- Education -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• African Americans -- Segregation -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• Civil rights movements -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• School integration -- Massive resistance movement -- Virginia.
• Schools -- Records and correspondence -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• Segregation -- Virginia -- Warren County.

Geographical Names:

• Warren County (Va.) -- History -- 20th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Application forms -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• Attendance records -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• Census records -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• Certificates -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• Grade books -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• Letters (correspondence) -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• Local government records -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• Minutes -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• Payroll records -- Virginia -- Warren County.
• School records -- Virginia -- Warren County.

Added Entry - Personal Name:

• Kilby, James Wilson, 1917-2003.