Warren County (Va.) Public School Records, 1915-1976

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Background

Scope and content:

Warren County (Va.) Public School Records, 1915-1976, include school records and case histories for high school student plaintiffs, including Kilby v. Warren County School Board; School board minutes, 1946-1977; teacher term reports, 1924-1976; payrolls for teachers and pupil transportation, 1931-1943; files related to World War II Production Training and National Defense Training Program; school census, 1920, 1925; Superintendent's record of teacher certificates, 1915-1941; files concerning applications for admission to Front Royal High School by African American students; applicants for change in school assignment and test results, 1958-1961; school board correspondence and files; teacher reports (grades and attendance), 1946-1967; choice of school forms and applications for scholarships; and Pupil Placement Board material.

Biographical / historical:

On September 15, 1958, Governor J. Lindsay Almond Jr. closed Warren County High School, the first school held in violation of his statewide mandate against desegregation.

In 1958, James W. Kilby led a group of black families in filing a lawsuit that forced Warren County High School to admit blacks. The battle was bitter, but on February 18, 1959, three Kilby children were among 20 black students who walked up a grassy hill, past hecklers and policemen, and into the school. It was the first challenge to Virginia's "Massive Resistance" laws and a precursor to such battles as the one that would close Prince Edward County schools for five years. Material concerning the lawsuit is included in this collection, as are the deliberations of the school board.

Acquisition information:
This collection came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of papers from the Warren County Public Schools under the accession numbers 44579 and 44610.
Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
4.50 cu. ft. (10 boxes and 5 vol.)