Rock Hill Freedman School
Dublin Core
Title
Rock Hill Freedman School
Date
1868 – circa 1887
Description
Education was a priority in Black communities after Emancipation. Before the Civil War, it was illegal for African Americans, whether enslaved or free, to gather to learn to read and study.
The Rock Hill school was established in early 1868 by Charles and Jesse Harris. Both men were from the Bull Run, a free Black community that was established before the Civil War. The Rock Hill school was incorporated into the Fairfax County public school system when it was established in 1870. The school was located on present-day Naylor Road, at or near the Cub Run Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
The Rock Hill school was established in early 1868 by Charles and Jesse Harris. Both men were from the Bull Run, a free Black community that was established before the Civil War. The Rock Hill school was incorporated into the Fairfax County public school system when it was established in 1870. The school was located on present-day Naylor Road, at or near the Cub Run Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Source
“Educating Freedmen During Reconstruction in Fairfax County.” Debbie Robison, December 6, 2014, published on the Northern Virginia History Notes website: http://novahistory.org/FreedmenEducation/FreedmenEducation.htm#_edn104http://novahistory.org/FreedmenEducation/FreedmenEducation.htm#_edn104
Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872, Virginia. Accessed via FamilySearch website: https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1596147
Search for names associated with the school such as Charles Harris, Jesse Harris, teacher Benjamin F. Grant. Of particular note:
Report that Jesse Harris donated 1 acre of land for school: https://www.familysearch.org/Letter of Charles P Harris requesting support to complete school (with sketch): https://www.familysearch.org/
Benjamin F. Grant to Freedmen’s Bureau plea for school building: https://www.familysearch.org/
Contract with carpenter Charles P Harris to complete school for $150: https://www.familysearch.org/
Building Item Type Metadata
Location
Naylor Road, Centreville
Additional Notes
It is unclear when Rock Hill ceased functioning as a colored school due to scanty record- keeping and lost records. By 1900s, references to the Rock Hill school describe it as segregated White school.
Collection
Citation
“Rock Hill Freedman School,” Fairfax County African American History Inventory, accessed September 16, 2024, https://fairfaxaahi.centerformasonslegacies.com/items/show/157.