Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[A Guide To The Papers of The Prince Edward County Free School], Accession #[1969-38 ], Special Collections and Archives, Johnston Memorial Library, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

A gift from the Prince Edward County Free School Board of Trustees

Biographical/Historical Information

The small south side county of Prince Edward had by 1963 become both a natural and international embarrassment. The county was one of five locales, which came to be called Brown v. The Board of Education Topeca, Kansas.The State of Virginia responded to the Supreme Court decision with what came to be called massive resistance.

In 1959 the Supreme Court of Virginia struck down Virginia's massive resistance laws. Public school systems throughout Virginia began to implement various programs to comply with the 1954 decision, the county of Prince Edward opted to close all public schools to prevent integration.

From 1959 until 1964, there were no public schools operating in Prince Edward County. In 1963 the Kennedy administration (mainly Robert Kennedy) brought the power of the Federal Government into the debacle in Prince Edward County.

The Federal Government and the United States Justice Department came to an agreement with the State of Virginia to reopen the Prince Edward County Public Schools as soon as possible. It became apparent very quickly that the previous four years had taken a heavy toll on both school facilities and students.

Because of the absence of public education, it was thought that a transitional school was neccessary until the public schools would reopen. The Free School was a result of cooperation between the Prince Edward County Public School and the Free School Association, which was formed in the summer of 1963. For a period of one year, the Prince Edward County Free School Board of Trustees took the place of the Prince Edward County School Board.

According to "The Story of the Prince Edward County Free School" "A former Governor of Virginia, Colgate W. Darden, Jr., served as chairman of a six-man, biracial board of trustees composed of leading educators of the state who were to govern the new system's program. The other trustees who agreed to serve at the request of Governeor Harrison were Dr. Fred C. Cole, President of Washington and Lee University; Dr. Robert P. Daniel, President of Virginia State College; Dr. Thomas H. Henderson, President of Virginia Union University; Dr. Earl H, McClenney, President of St. Pauls College, and Dr. F.D.G. Ribble, retired dean of the University of Virginia Law School. A New York Educator, Dr. Neil V. Sullivan, who had attained success with the most modern educational methods including non-graded instruction, was employed as school superintendent." The Board of Trustees were able to raise more than one million dollars to support the Free School Association during it's existance. The Free School was in existance for only one year 1964-1965.

Scope and Content

The Prince Edward County (VA) Free School Association Papers document one aspect of Virginia's Massive Resistance to public school integration. Minutes, correspondence, reports, financial records, teachers and student records, vividly show the damage done to the African American Community during the time frame 1959-1963.

Series Description

Series I. Board of Trustees Minutes, Correspondence and Governance 1963-1967 Boxes # 1-3

Sub-Series A. Minutes Box # 1 The mission of the Free School Association was to begin the restoration of a public school educational system in Prince Edward County Virginia. The Minutes document their efforts to acquire funds, equipment, and the approval of a curriculum.

Sub-Series B. Correspondence Boxes # 1-3 Correspondence of the Board of Trustees with State, Federal Officials, members of the board, and various individuals not directly connected to the Free School Association.

Series II. The Office of the Treasurer/Secretary Boxes # 4-7 The Treasurer was a member of the board of trustees. And in that position was responsible for: The Budget, Expenditures, Payroll Development, and all donated and loaned equipment.

Series III. Office of the Business Manager Boxes # 8-17B The Business Manager was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the free school. Included in this series are several boxes of cancelled checks.

Series IV. Office of the Superintendent Boxes # 18-29 Dr. Neil Sullivan was selected as the superintendent of the Free School Association because of his experience with a non-graded school system.

Sub-Series A. Memo's and Correspondence Boxes# 18-19 -Administrative memos and correspondence. Arranged Chronologically

Sub-Series B. Correspondence Boxes # 20-22 General Correspondence, Arranged Chronologically.

Sub-Series C. Correspondence by folder heading Boxes # 23-24 Correspondence maintained by folder heading, arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within the folder.

Sub-Series D. Personal Files Boxes # 25-27 Correspondence, Resumes of prospective employees of the Free School Association

Sub-Series E. Exit Interviews Box # 28 Views of personnel regarding their experience working in the free school, included are some of their recommendations for improvement as observed by them.

Sub-Series F. Student Evaluation Box # 29 Student views of their experience in the Free School. Comments concern instruction, facilities, and their thoughts on the future.

Series V. Administrative Offices of the Free School system Boxes # 30-33

Sub-Series A. The Principals Office Boxes # 30-31 The organization of the Free School System was divided into four administrative groups. The largest numbers of students were assigned to the high school. Office Correspondence maintained by the Principal, is arranged by alphabet and then chronologically within the folder. Correspondence addresses a wide range of topics, employment, administrative problems, and the problems of running a high school on a day-to-day basis.

Sub-Series B. Department Correspondence Box # 32 Correspondence and reports from the other administrative units in the Prince Edward County Free School System.

Sub-Series C. Department Reports Box # 33 Most of the units were required to submit a final report for thier units at the end of the school year. This subseries documents the activities of those departments for the school year 1965 to 1965.

Series VI. Literary Box # 33A

Sub-Series A. Reports Box # 33A These reports were generated to inform those involved with the status of the free school. Amongst the reports is a final report issued by the superintendent. In addition there are also a number of progress reports from both the office of the superintendent and some of the other programs being provided at The Prince Edward County Free School.

Sub-Series B. Speeches Box # 33A Neil Sullivan and others were called upon to speak before a number of associations and groups concerning the progress of the free school.

Sub-Series C. Writings Box # 33A Policy Manuals for the Prince Edward County Free School, and several school divisions outside of Virginia.

Series VII. Office of Pupil Personnel Boxes # 34-48 Four years without a public education system devastated the African American school aged population. In order to asset the damage and effect some change the office of Pupil Personnel Services was established. The director of Pupil Personnel Services coordinated the following departments: Guidance, Health, Psychological and social work services.

Sub-Series A. Correspondence Boxes # 34-35 Correspondence with heads of the units reporting to the director of student personnel.

Sub-Series B. Lunch, Daily Reports Boxes # 36-41A Applications for free lunch, menu's for each day

Sub-Series C. Absentees Box # 42 These were required statistics maintained for the state. list of each student's attendance.

Sub-Series D. Attendance Boxes # 43-45 list of each student's attendance. These were required statistics maintained for the state.

Sub-Series E. School Monthly Reports Box # 46 Required by the state of Virginia. Average daily attendance and absentees.

Sub-Series F. Transportation, Students Box # 47 It was estimated that over 1,000 students would need transportation to and from school each day. Included in this sub-series are: bus drivers reports, maintenance records.

Sub-Series G. Special Education Box # 47 Primarily test scores used to place students in Special Education Courses. Arranged by grade and alphabetically.

Sub-Series H. Clothing Box # 48 Applicants from families for clothing assistance, arranged in alphabetical order.Restricted.

Series VIII. Teachers Records Boxes # 49-53

Sub-Series A. Grade Sheets Box # 49

Sub-Series B. Grade Books Boxes # 50-52

Sub-Series C. Text Books Box # 53

Sub-Series D. Summer Recreational Schedules Box # 53

Series VIV. Student Records Boxes # 54-63 Restricted

Sub-Series A. Pupil Registration Cards Boxes # 54-59

Sub-series B. Standardized test Boxes # 60-62

Sub-Series C. Transcripts Boxes 63-106

Series X. Photographs Box # 107

Sub-Series A. Admin Photographs of instructors and administratorsistrative Staff Box # 107

Sub-Series B. Robert Kennedy's visit to Prince Edward County Box # 107 Photographs of the program held in Prince Edward County attended by the Attorney General.

Series XI. Printed Boxes # 107-109

Sub-Series A. Yearbooks Box # 107 The Eagle

Sub-Series B. Newsletters Box # 107 The Moton Eagle The Branch # 2 Informer vol 1-4

Sub-Series C. The Story of Prince Edward Free School Box # 107 A publication commissioned by the Free School in 1964

Sub-Series D. Programs Box # 108 Plays, programs, and other events sponsored by the Free School Association, local P.T.A and The library club.

Sub-Series E. Prince Edward County Pamphlet Box # 108 Pamphlet printed by the Washington Post No Date

Sub-Series F. News clippings Box # 108 Clippings from various newspapers and magazines concerning Prince Edward County.

Sub-Series G. Office Supplies Box # 109 Envelopes, Stationary used by the Prince Edward County Free School