August 21, 2020
In December 1785, within the recently built Alexandria Academy, George Washington financed a school “for the purpose of educating orphan children.” In 1812, a “free colored school” was founded by a group of free African Americans in the space vacated by white students. Young Robert E. Lee attended another school in the Academy from 1818 to 1823. During the Civil War, the academy served as a freedman’s hospital. Some Black adults in Alexandria attended school in the outdated and overcrowded building on Wolfe Street when Lyles-Crouch was overflowing.
Stories this photo appears in:
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: First Hand View of Racism: Change the Name
Dear Elected Officials and ACPS Board Members, Nelson Greene Jr.’s letter to The Honorable Cindy M. Anderson, Chairperson; Members of the Alexandria City Public School Board; and Alexandria City Council Members is shared with the Gazette Packet
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