James E. Lee Elementary School
Title
James E. Lee Elementary School
Date
School built 1947/48
Historic marker was unveiled October 2, 2021
Description
Historical Marker
The James Lee Elementary School opened in February 1948. It was built on land purchased in 1866 by African American James Edward Lee (1839-1919), who was born free. In 1945, James Lee’s son sold a portion of the original property to the Fairfax County School Board to build a school for Black children. When completed it was the first Black school, in Fairfax County with indoor plumbing, heating, a classroom for each grade, auditorium, library, cafeteria, and clinic. The James Lee Elementary School closed in 1966 when Fairfax County integrated its schools. The original building is now part of the James Lee Community Center.
The James Lee Elementary School opened in February 1948. It was built on land purchased in 1866 by African American James Edward Lee (1839-1919), who was born free. In 1945, James Lee’s son sold a portion of the original property to the Fairfax County School Board to build a school for Black children. When completed it was the first Black school, in Fairfax County with indoor plumbing, heating, a classroom for each grade, auditorium, library, cafeteria, and clinic. The James Lee Elementary School closed in 1966 when Fairfax County integrated its schools. The original building is now part of the James Lee Community Center.
Source
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/fairfax-county-unveil-new- historical-marker-james-lee-community-center
Segregation, Suburbanization, and the James Lee Community, Falls Church, Virginia, by Anne Korzeniewski, Spring 1991 PhD dissertation, George Mason University; manuscript in Virginia Room; lists many primary and secondary sources. Has some info on Black churches Galloway and Second Baptist Church
Fairfax County Deed Book G-4, p. 482, January 9, 1867. James S. Crocker to James and Charles Lee. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61823596/james-edward-lee
Oral histories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqAIH-ysi9U
Marion Ransell-Dobbins (now Marion Ransell-Cohen) oral history https://research.fairfaxcounty.gov/ld.php?content_id=54175404
Additional Name
James Lee Community Center
Location
2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Va. Parcel No.: 050-4 ((1)) 50A
District
Providence
Photo Credit
Courtesy of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)
Files
Collection
Citation
“James E. Lee Elementary School,” Fairfax County African American History Inventory, accessed October 24, 2026, https://fairfaxaahi.centerformasonslegacies.com/items/show/130.