Henderson House
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Description
Historical Marker
This Colonial Revival bungalow (part of 1724 1,279-acre Pearson Grant) bought by Dr. Edwin B. Henderson in 1913. Henderson's ancestors include Powhattan Chief Mimetou. In 1904 he was first African-American certified to teach physical education; 1920-1954 director of P.E. in D.C. segregated schools. Long active as organizer, coach, and official in New "Negro" leagues. Author in 1939 of "The Negro in Sports"; He also wrote over 3,000 letters to editors stressing need for equal opportunities. He and Mary Ellen, a primary school educator, were active civil rights advocates for over 50 years.
Edwin and Mary Ellen (Miss Nellie) Henderson lived for over fifty years in Falls Church. Edwin was an educator, author, a Civil Rights activist, and nicknamed “Father of Black Basketball.” Edwin was the author of History of the Fairfax County Branch of the NAACP and The Negro in Sports.
Miss Nellie was a teacher and principal for thirty-two years for FCPS at the two room “Colored School.” In 1936, she created a study comparing county White schools to Black schools. The study revealed that ninety percent of the county’s school budget went to White schools. After the study was made public, supporters began to demand improvements for Black schools. Miss Nellie wrote Our Disgrace and Shame: School Facilities for Negro Children in Fairfax County. The study was brought before the school board and was published in the Fairfax Herald newspaper on October 26, 1945.Source
Fairfax County Public Library has the books written by the Hendersons mentioned in the above description.
Transcripts of interviews of Dr. Edwin Henderson and Mary Ellen Henderson are available at the Virginia Room City of Fairfax Regional Library.