Black Petitions

[Petition (Colored petitions) 1945 County-Wide League discussion on consolidation with adequate transportation]

March 20, 1945 County-Wide League of Loudoun letter to Superintendent Emerick and School Board endorses Janie Redmond's recommendations made on March 6, 1945. These included Teacher Grade load decrease through school consolidation, providing necessary transportation, building repairs, school supply requests, infrastructure upgrades, additional teachers and maintenance custodians

[Petition (Colored schools) - Howardsville - transport to Willisville]

This is a list of Howardsville children who may have been requesting transport to Willisville Colored School. The petition it accompanied is not recorded and neither is the year. Research into the children listed indicate the petition is likely from the late 1930s

[Petition (Colored schools) - Leesburg - requests change in Leesburg teachers]

In this undated petition, the Members of the Community League of Leesburg, emphasizing that they are citizens and taxpayers, request changes to the Leesburg Colored school graded teachers. The petition does not contain any details as to what changes the petitioners desire.

[Petition (Colored schools) - Purcellville - demands full time teacher and wants to keep McWashington]

Purcellville Colored School patrons demand a full time teacher. They feel a great injustice has been done putting their children all together and then reassigning their teacher Mrs. Rosalie McWashington, who they would like to have back.

[Petition (Colored schools) - Purcellville - wants to keep Mrs Alice Scott as principal]

This petition, believed to have been written in the 1920s, asks that Mrs. Alice Scott remain principal as her work has been satisfactory to the petitioners.

[Petition (Colored schools) - St Louis- requests additional room and Laura Cook reports on enrollment

This petition, submitted by the Parents and Teachers League of St. Louis School and signed by Secretary Maria Anderson, requests that an additional classroom be added to the school prior to the start of the next school term. The request is supported by attendance data recorded from September through February, showing consistent enrollment levels ranging from approximately 47 to 56 students, including both boys and girls. The enrollment report is provided by Laura Cook.

[Petition (Colored schools) - St. Louis - does not want teacher reappointed]

This petition, submitted by citizens and patrons of St. Louis School, requests that Superintendent O. L. Emerick not reappoint the current teacher for the 1930–1931 school year. The document does not identify the teacher by name and provides no explanation or stated reason for the request. The petition consists of a list of community signatories expressing opposition to the teacher’s continued appointment.

[Petition (Colored Schools) 1930 Emerick responds to Purcellville's request for E. M. Norton as principal]

O.L. Emerick, Loudoun County Superintendent responds to the Patrons Teachers League of Purcellville Colored School's petition to request Mrs E. M. Norton's retention at Purcellville for the 1931 school year. Emerick assures Mrs Cook, the League's secretary that the request will be considered by the board.

[Petition (Colored schools) 1932 - St. Louis - road needs urgent repairs]

This scanned petition concerns the St. Louis School and is submitted by local patrons requesting urgent repairs to the road leading into the school grounds. The petition emphasizes the extremely poor condition of the road, describing it as nearly impassable and a serious obstacle to travel.

[Petition (Colored schools) 1932 - Waterford - protest teacher page 1 of 2]

Trustees of the Waterford Colored School, Charles Coates and Thomas Lee with other patrons protest Miss Esther Randolph's continued employment at Waterford. They claim their children were "cowed to death and learned nothing" during her tenure. They do not like her and she, apparently, doesn't like them either. They would like to have someone who treats them as people and offer to find a new teacher themselves.

[Petition (Colored schools) 1932 - Waterford - protest teacher page 2 of 2]

Trustees of the Waterford Colored School, Charles Coates and Thomas Lee with other patrons protest Miss Esther Randolph's continued employment at Waterford. They claim their children were "cowed to death and learned nothing" during her tenure. They do not like her and she, apparently, doesn't like them either. They would like to have someone who treats them as people and offer to find a new teacher themselves.

[Petition (Colored schools) 1933 - Nokes - O.L. Emerick reports to Miss Nokes that there are not enough children for a school]

Loudoun County Public Schools Division Superintendent O.L. Emerick tells Miss Mildred

[Petition (Colored schools) 1933 - Nokes - wants the school to be opened]

Patrons of the Nokes Colored school promise to provide at least 22 pupils for the 1933-1934 school year and request the school be opened.

[Petition (Colored schools) 1934 - Paeonian Springs -request local school or transportation to Waterford]

Paeonian Springs patrons state that Waterford is too far to send the little ones so they need a school in Paeonian Springs or transportation furnished by the County to Waterford Colored School. Describing themselves as anxious parents and children, they list their names and the number of children they have to send to a school in Paeonian Springs

[Petition (Colored schools) 1935 - Purcellville - request to accept application of E M Norton as principal]

This petition to the Mount Gilead District of Loudoun County Public Schools through District Superintendent O.L. Emerick requests that the Purcellville Colored School have Mrs E. M. Norton as principal for the 1935-1936 school year. The patrons of Purcellville school write that she is of high moral standing with educational ability and that she has taking great interest in the community.

[Petition (Colored schools) 1937 - Hughesville - request to retain Miss E Randolph failed because different teacher hired and Randolph didn't apply]

Parents and Patrons of the Hughesville colored school request that Miss E[sther] Randolph be retained for the coming school year. They appreciate her excellent work and want to complete several projects she started. Loudoun County Public School Superintendent O.L. Emerick responds that Miss Randolph did not apply and so another teacher has been selected.

[Petition (colored schools) 1938 - Colored teachers of Loudoun request salary increase

Sixteen Black teachers petition the Loudoun County Public School Board for an increase in salary and a nine month school term for all schools within the county. If this isn't possible, they request "the full restoration of our depression cut of 1929-31."

[Petition (Colored schools) 1940 County-Wide League follow up about the risk of catastrophic fire at the Loudoun Training Center in Leesburg]

In this letter to the Virginia Board of Education, the County-Wide League and the president of the Colored Parent Teachers Association, William Harris, cite a notification from Mr Charles H Houston about the state of the Loudoun County Training Center in Leesburg. Citing that it is a fire trap with no accessible fire escape and a floor saturated with oil, they request an immediate inspection to prevent the death of children whose lives could be saved "only by a miracle" should the oil ignite.

[Petition (Colored schools) 1947 - Nokes - Request to keep C.L. Murray]

This document, dated June 18 and June 20, 1947, includes a letter of petition from Mr. Earl Glenn requesting that the same teacher of record be maintained for the upcoming school term. It also features a petition letter from Mrs. Gertrude Johnson, President of the Parents Teachers League, with petitioners' signatures, and a typewritten response from O.L. Emerick, Division Superintendent. The petition includes three generations of the Johnson family of Nokesville, Loudoun County, Virginia. In his June 20, 1947, response, Emerick states that the school board would not find it possible to honor this request, as another teacher has already been assigned.

[Petition (Colored schools) 1956 - Willisville - is out of Coal]

On 10 January 1956, Ethel R Stewart wrote this letter to the Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent, O.L. Emerick, requesting more coal for the Willisville Colored School because "All we have left is dirt and that doesn't have burn."

[Petition (Colored schools) County-Wide League requests approval for Gibons lot for high school]

The County-Wide League of Loudoun County requests the school board approve a parcel of land in Leesburg, Virginia, known as the Gibons Lot for the building of an accredited high school for Black students. The County-Wide League reiterates its commitment to raising funds and provides a list of signees "100 percent" in favor of the Gibons Lot location.

[Petitions (colored schools) - Bull Run - requests construction of extra room due expanded pupil size]

This petition was submitted by patrons of the Bull Run School in Loudoun County, Virginia. The undersigned request that the County School Board provide an additional classroom to address the crowded conditions in the existing building. The petition emphasizes the need to improve the present school facilities in order to meet student needs. It is believed to have been written around 1954.

[Petitions (Colored schools) - Conklin - list of children and their parents or guardians]

This undated, handwritten document is a list of parents/guardians and children who are associated with the Conklin School. It includes the ages of the children and the distance they live from the school. While the exact purpose of the list is unclear, it appears to be a record of members of the community connected to the school along with identifying prospective students for enrollment or who are enrolled at the school. The ages of the included children suggest that the petition was written around 1931.

[Petitions (Colored schools) - Conklin - requests Leroy Allen be returned as bus driver]

This undated handwritten petition, signed by multiple patrons, requests that Leroy Allen continue serving as the bus driver for Conklin School. The petition emphasizes Mr. Allen’s reputation for being responsible and reliable in transporting students to and from school. The document reflects community support for the retention of a trusted school transportation provider. It is believed to have been written around 1954.

[Petitions (Colored schools) - Conklin - requests teacher removal because children are not learning or even attending school]

Undated Petition regarding concerns with current teacher: This petition, signed by school patrons, outlines several concerns about the current teacher’s performance. Issues include a lack of order in the classroom and on school grounds, delays of up to three days in providing lessons, and declining student attendance. Additionally, the petition notes that some students have been improperly advanced to higher grade levels. The patrons request that a new teacher be assigned to the school.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1922 - Brownsville - competing petitions over the location of the Brownsville school in the Hamilton Odd Fellows Hall

In this petition, Brownsville families sign one of two pages: those in support of having school continue in Brownsville and those who want school moved to the Odd-Fellows Hall in Hamilton. Eight families representing seventeen pupils support continuing school in Brownsville. Sixteen adults representing thirty-one pupils prefer the Odd-Fellows Hall in Hamilton.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1924 - Conklin - letter from Emerick to John Ryan who wanted Conklin left open]

O.L. Emerick, Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent, responds to John Ryan, former Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, who wrote requesting that Conklin school remain open. Ryan's letter includes a list of 20 children who hope to attend the Conklin School. While Emerick promises to bring the request before the School Board, a note written on Ryan's letter states "decline to open."

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1926 Loudoun County Colored PTA staff wants increased pay]

A group of Loudoun County Colored teachers met in Round Hill, Virginia, in March 1926, and signed this petition requesting "a reasonable increase in pay." Division Superintendent O. L. Emerick responds that the Board chose not to increase their pay.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1927 - Hughesville - petitions to reopen school]

Petition from parents and patrons of the Hughesville School, following a meeting at the schoolhouse on October 23, 1927. The petitioners note that there are twenty or more children of school age in the community and request that the school be reopened. The document includes signatures of parents and patrons in support.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1928 - Hughesville - petitions to reopen school]

Dated June 28, 1928, this petition was submitted by parents and patrons of the Hughesville School to the Loudoun County School Board, requesting that the school be reopened. The petition cites the presence of twenty or more school-age children in the community in need of local educational access, as well as the names of the parents and patrons supporting the request.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1929 - Philomont - request that a school be opened in Greggsville]

This petition, dated 4 Oct 1929, requests that a Colored school be built at Greggsville and provides a list of parents and fourteen students who promise to regularly attend. Mis Lucy Hunt writes a personal plea that Lincoln is too far to send her children. A note in a separate hand written at the top of Miss Lucy's entreaty reads "Did not open."

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1930 - Leesburg - request that new principal have qualifications and Emerick agrees]

This document shows 2 letters. The first dated May 14, 1930, addressed to the superintendent and Public School Board of Leesburg School District in Leesburg, Virginia, demonstrates the efforts made by patrons and taxpayers of the Leesburg School District to advocate for the appointment of a qualified individual as the fourth teacher at Leesburg Colored Public School. The signatories express their desire for a High School and Normal School graduate to be appointed as the Principal of the school, highlighting the importance they placed on education and the qualifications of the teaching staff. The second letter addressed to Mr. Robert M Coe is the response from the Division Superintendent (O. L. Emerick) indicating a willingness to consider the request and states an intention to recommend a teacher with the requested qualifications or higher for the position.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1930 - Purcellville - wants to retain Mrs. E. M. Norton as Principal

Dated April 2, 1930, this petition was submitted by officers of the Patrons Teachers League of the Purcellville Colored School to the Mount Gilead District and Superintendent O.L. Emerick of the Loudoun County Public Schools. The petitioners request that Mrs. E. M. Norton be retained as principal for the 1931 school year. The document reflects organized community advocacy for school leadership during the segregation era. Cross-reference: For additional context on the Purcellville Colored School and the Mount Gilead District, see the Loudoun School Project webpage: https://loudounschoolproject.wordpress.com/schools/schools-m-through-r/purcellville-colored-school-mt-gilead-district-loudoun/

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1930 - Willisville - school building needs urgent care]

This document is a petition from the patrons of Willisville, expressing concerns about the safety of their children's school building. Dated September 1930, the petition urges the Loudoun County School Board to take immediate action to reinforce or repair the damaged structure to prevent potential harm in the event of a windstorm or other catastrophe. The petitioners request a prompt and favorable response to ensure the safety of the students.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1931 - Leesburg - Edythe Harris requests expansion at Loudoun County Training Center]

In this 1931 petition, teacher Edyth O Harris requests an additional teacher and room at the Loudoun County Training Center. She also requests an additional $15 a month in salary to compensate for the considerable amount of work she puts in to teach thirty-nine pupils in two classes. She references a slogan or saying to appeal to Superintendent O.L. Emerick's desire for cooperation "in any effort to make things Bigger and Better."

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1931 - St. Louis - school is overcrowded]

This document is a petition expressing concern for severe overcrowding at the St. Louis School. On February 9, 1931, Laura Cook, a teacher at the school, wrote to the Loudoun County School Board describing how the enrollment of 71 students was hindering her ability to give each child adequate attention. The letter, co-signed by parents and community members, requested an additional classroom and a second teacher for the next school term. The petitioners urged the school board to approve and support these measures to improve learning conditions. The document indicates that a teacher report was attached; however, it is not included with the scanned copy.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1931 - Willisville - Recommendations to improve school]

This petition, dated February 5, 1931, from the patrons of Willisville Colored School, Virginia, was submitted to the Loudoun County School Board and Division Superintendent O.L. Emerick to address severe overcrowding and inadequate facilities at the school. While the petitioners express gratitude for previous improvements—such as additional seating—they emphasize that conditions remain unsanitary, cramped, and detrimental to student learning.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1932 - Leesburg - request to keep Mary Waters and Annie Harris as teachers]

This petition, submitted by patrons and supporters of the Leesburg Colored School, requests that Mary E.R. Waters and Annie E. Harris be teachers of record for the 1932-1933 school term. A total of 86 individuals signed the petition and someone wrote down in a corner that 6 of them are white and 80 are colored. The six white petitioners all signed the same page which contains only their signatures. This petition reflects community support across racial lines.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1932 - Leesburg - requests improvements in inefficiencies]

In this petition, a committee of the Community League and patrons of the Leesburg Colored School request changes at the school. They cite "inefficiency and other things" with details to be discussed at a later time when teacher appointments are made. They believe that the board will grant their request since it is the first they have made in thirty years.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1934 - Bluemont - was closed due to pupil count, patrons wanted teacher and pupils transported to Rock Hill]

Patrons write to the Virginia Board of Education about the closing of the school for colored children in Bluemont, a rural community in Loudoun County, Virginia. They request their children and their children's teacher be transported to Rock Hill Colored since Bluemont Colored had been closed due to low enrollment. The petitioners emphasize that their request is reasonable, possibly because transportation was commonly provided when white schools were consolidated. The record is in the possession of Loudoun County, not the Virginia Board of Education, indicating that the state may have forwarded the letter back to local officials.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1935 - Leesburg - requests to keep Mammie Waters

This document, dated June 1935, is a letter of petition to the Loudoun County School Board, requesting the appointment of Miss Mammie R. Waters as the teacher for the primary department of Leesburg Public School for the 1935-1936 school term. The petition spans six pages, with five pages filled with the signatures of supporters.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1938 - Mount Pleasant - request reopening of Mt. Pleasant or transport to another school

In this petition, the community of Mount Pleasant in Lucketts requests that their school be reopened or that transportation be provided to another school so that the children are able to have "at least a public education." They send Robert Ambers as representative and list thirteen children and their parents. Two pages follow containing a table that lists the number of students enrolled, average attendance, term, and number of teachers for the Mt. Pleasant school every year from the 1917-1918 academic year until the school's closure in 1937.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1940 - County-Wide League - request staff salary parity regardless of race]

In this petition dated October 9, 1941, The Loudoun County Wide League, a group advocating for educational and civic welfare in Loudoun County, Virginia, called for the establishment of a single salary schedule for teachers, principals, and supervisors without regard to race. They highlighted the disparities in salary between white and Negro educators in Loudoun County, noting that even with equal qualifications and experience, white educators were paid more. Referencing a recent federal court decision in a similar case in Norfolk, Virginia, they argued that such salary differentials based on race were unconstitutional. The petitioners acknowledged that the practice was not initiated by the current leadership but urged the School Board and Superintendent to rectify the situation to align with democratic principles and the law. The petition is signed by the League's president, John W. Wanzer, and secretary, Eva Sanford.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1941 -Conklin - Exchange of letters between Superintendent O.L. Emerick, C.T. Dean of Clifton, and the State Board of Education on keeping Conklin open or providing transport]

F.F. Jenkins, Director of Administration and Finance for the Virginia Board of Education, forwards a petition from C.T. Dean of Clifton to O.L. Emerick, Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent. Dean had apparently written the Board of Education about the operating status of the Conklin Colored School and transportation for Conklin children. At the same time, Jenkins writes to Dean stating that his concerns fall under local jurisdiction. Emerick's reply to Dean indicates he is familiar with Dean, "the colored people and their white friends who are agitating this question the most." Emerick insists there are not enough children in Conklin for a school and that the Loudoun School Board has a policy regarding transportation that does not distinguish "on account of color." C.T. Dean's petition is not included in this file, nor any correspondence from Jenkins to Dean after receiving Emerick's letter.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1944 - Middleburg Grant - correspondence from Superintendent O.L. Emerick on plans for a new school in Middleburg]

The first letter in this group is a Dec 14, 1944 correspondence from Superintendent O.L. Emerick to attorney James H. Raby. The letter authorized an additional teacher for the Middleburg Colored School and expressed support for building a new school for about 160 children in Middleburg and St. Louis in Middleburg. Emerick notifies Raby that the School Board would not provide transportation but would reimburse for transportation arranged by families. Emerick says that people have claimed discrimination when their school was closed in favor of consolidation, a situation in which the county provides transportation. Citing extreme difficulties due to the war, Middleburg white school is closed due to a cracked boiler and the Aldie white school, which burned down, is being consolidated instead of rebuilt. In a 7 Feb 1945 letter to Emerick, the Parent-Teacher Association and Community League of Middleburg provides the names of a committee elected to work with the school board on purchasing land for the proposed new Colored School at Middleburg. On 9 Feb 1945 Emerick acknowledges receipt of the committee letter.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1944 - Middleburg Grant - letters from attorney James H. Raby to School Superintendent O.L. Emerick requesting school bus transportation for Black children]

Two letters from attorney hired by Middleburg's Grant Colored School, James H. Raby, to Loudoun County Public School Superintendent, O.L. Emerick. The letter dated 16 Nov 1944 is responding to Emerick's 20 Oct 1944 letter and the one dated 5 Dec 1944 responds to Emerick's 21 Nov 1944 letter. Neither of Emerick's letters are included in this set. Raby says that Emerick's story of a white bus driver refusing to pick up Black students he passes on his route is why Black students need their own dedicated transportation. Raby relates that area families do not have transportation themselves to meet the need and also references a letter from parents asking for additional space and teachers since there were only two teachers for ninety-six students.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1944 - Middleburg Grant -request to expand school in Middleburg to avoid spread of disease]

In this petition, dated 7 November 1944, parents of the Grant School in Middleburg, Virginia, express concern that the overcrowded conditions at the school, along with being difficult for teachers, will lead to an epidemic. They hope for another room as there is no other way they can solve the crowding.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1945 - Middleburg Grant - Charles Smith wants name removed from petition for new school]

This handwritten Letter from Charles H Smith requests that his and his wife's name be removed from the petition circulated by Reverend Foy regarding the new school in Middleburg. Through a mistake, Smith indicated his name was added to the list. He requests that their names be erased from the list "because that is not the way I would vote for the new school." Charles H Smith's name on appears on the 16 Jan 1945 petition from the Grant PTA.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1945 - Middleburg Grant - patrons thank school board for agreement to alleviate crowded conditions]

Letter signed 15 Jan 1945 by community members (including John Wanzer) to school baord that acknowledges and accepts the school board's plan to alleviate overcrowding at Grant and build a new school in Middleburg.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1945 - Middleburg Grant - rejects school board plans with reasons]

This Middleburg Grant School's Parent-Teacher Association and Community League letter dated 16 Jan 1945 responds to school Superintendent O.L. Emerick's 13 Dec 1944 letter that rejects plans for alleviating overcrowding in Middleburg as insufficient and cites multiple situations at Watson and Lincoln where the school board used mitigation measures like those proposed to avoid building a new school. The letter additionally states John Wanzer does not represent the community league and communication should go through their lawyer, James H. Raby. Emerick writes back to the PTA 17 Jan 1945 saying the idea of a new building is new to him and requests a committee be appointed by the PTA to facilitate discussion. Following is a letter from the PTA dated 12 Feb 1945 acknowledging a letter from Emerick dated 9 Feb and admonishing Emerick for not supplying a meeting date and time. Emerick explains on 13 Feb that he will deal directly with the committee to purchase land and defends his failure to set a meeting.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1946 - Middleburg Grant - requests new school be built in Maxville not St Louis

Feb 26, 1946, the PTA and Community League for the Grant School in Middleburg opined that Saint Louis was an inappropriate location for the new school and provided a detailed argument for Maxville (or Macville), a community east of Middleburg on the north side of route 50. The petition places Middleburg above St. Louis in every way, possessing "leadership, wealth, progressiveness, and potentialities." In contrast, St. Louis is described as a poor backwater that has little to offer Loudoun residents.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1951 - Douglass Elementary - NAACP follows up on unsanitary toilets]

This file includes correspondence between Edwin C. Brown, a lawyer retained by by the local branch of the National Association For Colored People and the Parent & Teachers Association of Douglass Elementary School of Leesburg, Virginia, to O.L. Emerick, Superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools. On 9 May 1951, Brown requests information about the unsanitary toilets at Douglass Elementary School which he hopes can be addressed without resorting to court action. Emerick replies five days later that he expects the issue to be remedied by the time students return in the fall but that there are also new schools to build in Waterford, Ashburn, and Mountain Gap. Emerick threatens that, should the issue go to court, the project will be delayed as funds will be needed to defend the district in court. In conclusion, he suggests that Brown come talk to the school board before filing. On 18 May, Emerick forwards Brown's letter to the other school board members.

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1951 County-Wide League committee report on Douglass High School page 2 of 3]

Note: this is only one page of a three page document. Transcription includes text of all three pages. This document is written by a committee of the County-Wide League that inspected Douglass High School, Loudoun County's only accredited high school for Black students. They report very unsatisfactory conditions including the "desperate need" to relieve overcrowding. While the school eventually needs a gym and a cafeteria, it needs at least six more classrooms immediately. They report multiple supply shortages across classes, ventilation and lighting issues, and "deplorable" noise in a classroom next to the industrial arts room. Based on the 7th grade enrollment in the county, the committee expects enrollment at Douglass to continue to grow. Conditions at Douglass were previously reported by the committee in 1948 and 1950 without change; at the point of this letter, Douglass' rating with the State Board of Education is in danger of being lost. The date Oct 1951 is associated with this document but it is unclear where that date comes from

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1951 County-Wide League report on Douglass High School page 1 of 3]

Note: this is only one page of a three page document. Transcription includes text of all three pages. This document is written by a committee of the County-Wide League that inspected Douglass High School, Loudoun County's only accredited high school for Black students. They report very unsatisfactory conditions including the "desperate need" to relieve overcrowding. While the school eventually needs a gym and a cafeteria, it needs at least six more classrooms immediately. They report multiple supply shortages across classes, ventilation and lighting issues, and "deplorable" noise in a classroom next to the industrial arts room. Based on the 7th grade enrollment in the county, the committee expects enrollment at Douglass to continue to grow. Conditions at Douglass were previously reported by the committee in 1948 and 1950 without change; at the point of this letter, Douglass' rating with the State Board of Education is in danger of being lost. The date Oct 1951 is associated with this document but it is unclear where that date comes from

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1951 County-Wide League report on Douglass High School page 3 of 3]

Note: this is only one page of a three page document. Transcription includes text of all three pages. This document is written by a committee of the County-Wide League that inspected Douglass High School, Loudoun County's only accredited high school for Black students. They report very unsatisfactory conditions including the "desperate need" to relieve overcrowding. While the school eventually needs a gym and a cafeteria, it needs at least six more classrooms immediately. They report multiple supply shortages across classes, ventilation and lighting issues, and "deplorable" noise in a classroom next to the industrial arts room. Based on the 7th grade enrollment in the county, the committee expects enrollment at Douglass to continue to grow. Conditions at Douglass were previously reported by the committee in 1948 and 1950 without change; at the point of this letter, Douglass' rating with the State Board of Education is in danger of being lost. The date Oct 1951 is associated with this document but it is unclear where that date comes from

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1952 - Conklin - teacher no good]

This petition, dated April 3, 1952, was submitted by patrons of the Conklin School to O.L. Emerick, Superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools. The petition requests that a specific teacher not be retained for the following school term. The patrons express dissatisfaction with the teacher, stating bluntly, "She no good."

[Petitions (Colored schools) 1956 - Ashburn coal - down to 3 week supply]

This is a memo from the Loudoun County School Board clerk to Mr Jake White in Lincoln notifying him that there is only three weeks of coal left in the Ashburn colored school. The original petition is lost.

[Petitions (Colored schools) Black Loudoun County Citizens petition for accredited high school]

Petition addressed to O.L. Emerick, Superintendent, and members of the Loudoun County School Board from citizens of Loudoun County. The petitioners respectfully request that the Board build and maintain an accredited, up-to-date high school for the “colored children of our said County.” They state that the Board is maintaining 23 public schools for African American children, and argue that “our race is justly entitled to at least one High School in the County.” Without such a facility, families are compelled to send their children outside the county to complete their education. The petitioners pledge private contributions to support the effort, noting that “there are other sources of aid such as the Rosenwald and other funds,” but emphasize that this funding must be supplemented by a public appropriation from the Board. They close by affirming that “this request is a fair and reasonable one under the circumstances.” The document includes signatories in support.

[Petitions (Colored schools) Loudoun County Citizens request high school not be next to Union Cemetery]

Petitioners object to the proposed purchase of land adjacent to the colored high school in Leesburg, Virginia, which borders the Union Cemetery and U.S. Route 15. They express concern that the location is unsuitable for future expansion of facilities for Black students, as only a few children attending the school live north of Market Street. The petition argues that the land would be better reserved for the cemetery’s expansion and that a school site should instead be located closer to the main Black residential community.

[Petitions (Colored schools) request for bus transportation from various schools to Loudoun County Training School]

This petition represents families from the communities of Willisville, St. Louis, Middleburg, Bull Run, and Gleedsville, Virginia (as listed on the petition). The document requests bus transportation to the Loudoun County Training School. It includes a duplicate of Page 1 and a typewritten page (#7), with all pages bearing handwritten signatures. The petition reflects many of the farms, villages, and hamlets where Black families resided in Loudoun County, Virginia. While it is not clear if all families are represented, the signatures provide an accurate representation of the community involvement. (Date of petition not evident)

[Petitions (Colored schools) Undated list of seventh grade graduates from Bull Run]

This is an undated list of seventh grade graduates from Bull Run Colored School in Loudoun County, Virginia. It may have been part of a petition requesting transportation to the Loudoun County Training Center for children seeking to attend upper level courses.

2.5.A Yr 1932 Jul 6 Waterford Wants Removal of Esther Randolph

July 6, 1932 . Waterford Wants Removal of Teacher Esther Randolph

EWP 2-5A 2-5APetitions(C)BullRunroomrequest(1)

EWP 2-5A Petitions (C) Brownsville (1)

EWP 2-5A Petitions (C) County Wide League 1951 concerns re Douglass HS conditions (1)

EWP 2-5A Yr 1930sCountyWideLeagueonGibbonsLot

EWP 2-5A Yr 1934AnalysisBluemontNeedsTransport

EWP 2-5A Yr 1938 Jan 15 Petition 56 LCTA Wants Restoration of Salaries and 9 month term

EWP 2-5A Yr 1938JuneLuckettsandMt.Pleasant

RCH 2-5-A Bull Run list 7th grade transcript

Transcript of a list of ten (10) Pupils who have finished the Seventh Grade in the Bull Run School. Undated.

RCH 2-5A Petition (C) Brownsville (1) transcript; Odd-Fellows Hall Hamilton Petition (1) transcript.

This file contains two petitions from parents concerning Brownsville and Odd-Fellows Hall Hamilton. These competing petitions request that their children attend the school presumably closest to their homes.

RCH 2-5A Petitions (C) Bluemont and Rock Hill transcript

A petition requesting transportation for students and a teacher to Rock Hill School when Bluemont Colored School closed was signed by both black and white residents of the area.

RCH 2.5.A Yr Unk Conklin Wants to Replace Teacher

Edwin Washington Project

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