Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth facts for kids
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Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth
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Footprint of the building
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 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 9601 Wellington Road, Manassas, Virginia |
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| Area | 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) |
| Built | 1893 |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000760 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 1, 1994 |
The Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth was a special school for African-American children in Manassas, Virginia. Today, the place where it stood is called the Jennie Dean Memorial Site. This name honors the school's founder, Jennie Dean. She was a very inspiring woman who used to be enslaved. Jennie Dean strongly believed that learning practical skills was important for young African Americans, both boys and girls.
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Founding the School
Jennie Dean and other African Americans started the school in 1893. Some white people who supported their cause also helped. It began as a private school where students could live. This was a time when schools for African American children were often separate and not as well funded.
A Public School for Many Counties
For many years, the school was private. But in 1938, things changed. The state of Virginia decided that all children, including African Americans, deserved free public education. This decision came after a group called the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) worked hard to change the laws.
After this, a public school system took over the Manassas Industrial School. From 1938 to 1958, it became the only high school for African American students in five counties in northern Virginia. These counties were Prince William, Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, and Fauquier.
Ending School Segregation
After World War II, many people moved to northern Virginia. The NAACP continued to fight for equal rights. They helped black teachers get better pay. They also made sure black children could ride buses to their schools.
Later, the NAACP worked to end separate schools for black and white children. This led to important court cases in the 1950s and 1960s. One famous case was Brown v. Board of Education. Virginia also had a similar case.
Some people in Virginia did not want schools to mix. They tried to stop it, even closing schools that were told to integrate. But eventually, schools became integrated, meaning students of all races could attend together.
The Manassas Industrial School closed in 1959. This happened after courts ruled against the laws that tried to keep schools separate.
What's There Now
The old school buildings were taken down. A new elementary school was built nearby. There are also ball fields and park areas now.
To remember the school, several historic markers were put up. The area was also landscaped to make it a nice place to visit.
Discovering the Past
In September 2015, an exciting discovery was made. The school's class list from 1927 was found! The principal at that time was William C. Taylor.
The class colors were Red and Black. Their class flower was a White Rose. The students in that class were:
- William Henry Bailey
- Garnetta Cornelia Battle
- Ruth Estelle Clarke
- Edward Albert Chambers
- Naomi Agusta Dean
- Edith Mae Gaskins
- Harry Wilson Hall
- Virginia Kelley Kenny
- Paul Emanuel Rier
- Adrian Francais Robinson
- Mary Viola Roberts
- Kathleen Lewisha Thomas
- Rosa James Thomas
- Tasco Delany Thomas
- Hazel Belle Voorhees
- William Henry Waddell
- George Shermy Woodson
- Roberta Josephine Waters
- Mary Synora Waller
Their class motto was: "Pick out your peak and climb."
Historic Recognition
The site of the Manassas Industrial School was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This means it is recognized as an important historic place in the United States.
