SECOND STREET SCHOOL

Step into 1867 Virginia, where a humble one-room schoolhouse became a beacon of hope for newly freed African Americans.

Author

Lynsey Archibald Tischler
February 09, 2025

“Beautiful hands are they that do deeds that are noble, good and true.”

Take a brain break. Escape in this digital twin👇🏾

Key Historical Highlights:

  • Established just two years after the Civil War ended on land sold by Quaker Reuben Schooley

  • Funded through a collaborative effort of the Freedmen's Bureau, local Quakers, and the African American community

  • Initially served a robust student body of 63 pupils, with many adult learners seeking education

  • Functioned as both a school and church, hosting AME services until 1891

  • Operated continuously until 1957, marking 90 years of educational service

Community Legacy

The school's transition from a Freedmen's Bureau institution to part of the public school system mirrors the broader story of African American education in post-Civil War America. Sarah Ann Steer, a local Quaker, pioneered as its first teacher before the role transitioned to Black educators.

Preservation Today

Now under the stewardship of the Waterford Foundation since 1977, the Second Street School serves as a vital historical landmark. A digital twin of this historic structure not only preserve its architectural details but also help tell the story of African American resilience and the community's commitment to education in post-Civil War Virginia.

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