Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection open for research.

Use Restrictions

Physical characteristics and conditions affect use of this material. Photocopying not permitted.

Preferred Citation

Teacher's Register for Virginia Public Schools, Broad Run Magisterial District, Colored School #A, 1886-1894 (SC 0058), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA..

Acquisition Information

Martha Rust Hummer, Sterling, VA.

Alternative Form Available

None.

Accruals

1992.0001

Processing Information

Elizabeth Preston, 27 August 2011

Historical Information

In the aftermath of the Civil War, the Commonwealth of Virginia passed a new constitution, popularly called the Underwood Constitution after the president of the state constitutional convention, John Curtiss Underwood (1809-1873). The new constitution mandated a "uniform system of public free schools," and encouraged its introduction in all counties of Virginia as soon as possible. Though the Underwood Constitution was reviled by many in Virginia as "carpet bag" legislation, the mandate led to significant progress in the education of the citizens of Virginia. The constitution established the office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to oversee county management of schools. Part of the office's oversight included a requirement that teachers fill out and maintain a register for each school. The registers included the names of students, their attendance, a record of visitors to the schools, brief descriptions of the schools, and lists of text books used.

The new constitution did not end the segregation of schools in Virginia, though that had been one of the goals of Underwood. In Loudoun County, most schools for white children were given identifying numbers, while schools for African Americans were given letters. Generally, Loudoun County employed African American men to teach in the colored schools.

Scope and Content

This collection contains the teacher's register for Colored School #A in the Broad Run District of Loudoun County. The register covers the years 1886-1894. During these years, the school was known by several names. It was often referred to simply as "Colored School #A," but was sometimes called Cedar Lane in the years 1888-1892. Beginning in 1893, the school was also called Farmwell Colored School. It always retained the #A designation, however. The register contains the names of students and their attendance records. Several African American teachers worked at the school over the years, including Morgan M. Snowden (fl. 1890), John Jackson (fl. 1890), W. A. Thomas (fl. 1890), John C. Walker (b. 1869), and Adam Smith (fl. 1890).

Arrangement

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Related Material

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Adjunct Descriptive Data

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Technical Requirements

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