Snowden School for Boys

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Snowden School for Boys was the first public school for African American boys in Alexandria, Virginia.[1][2][3]

History[edit]

In 1867, the Freedmen's Bureau funded the construction of a school for African American boys in Alexandria, Virginia. The Bureau contracted George L. Seaton, a local carpenter to build the school. Seaton, who was also a real estate holder and education advocate, helped raise funds to purchase the school's lot through the First Free School Society of Alexandria.[4]

The school opened in April 1867 and was incorporated into the Alexandria school system making it the first public school for African American boys in Alexandria.[1][2][5] It was located on South Pitt Street between Gibbon and Franklin Streets.[3] The school's official name was the Snowden School for Boys, but was also known in the community as the Seaton School.[6]

Snowden School for Boys merged with the Hallowell School for Girls in 1920. The new school was named Parker-Gray.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "History of Alexandria's African American Community". alexandriava.gov. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b "The History of ACPS". www.acps.k12.va.us. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places: African American Historic Resources of Alexandria, Virginia" (PDF).
  4. ^ "George Lewis Seaton, Dictionary of Virginia via MLK Commission" (PDF).
  5. ^ a b "The Other Alexandria: Standing on Historical Land: James E. Henson, Esq". www.connectionnewspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  6. ^ "Dictionary of Virginia Biography via MLK Commission" (PDF).