By Nancy Dunham
You know how it is when you go searching for historic sites.
If you’re like me, you’re often disappointed by the exorbitant admission prices and lack of authentic history.
So imagine my surprise when I was driving through Manassas one day and spotted a white, one-story building with a welcoming small sign in front. Watch out though; you’ll miss it if you don’t look carefully.
Walking a few feet from the empty-except-my-car driveway, I stopped and read the sign which noted that the building is Prince William County’s only existing one-room school built for children of color (or colored children, as the term was then).
Little is known about the renovated school, which was used as a hay barn until about 2002. Historians have determined it was first used in 1884. No records exist of the children that attended the school. Teachers at the school had completed seventh grade and likely taught grades one through six in the building, historians said. Math, geography, penmanship, reading and history were among the subjects
taught.
The day I visited, I just looked through the windows and saw the small wooden benches, shiny wood floors and maps displayed on the walls. Children's shrieks of joy and stamping feet were loud in my imagination.
The great news for you is that regular tours — including one from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, – are available for free.
The next time you’re driving, take a detour over to Lucasville School, 10516 Godwin Road, Manassas and soak up some real history, at no cost.
If you want a tour of the school, or to attend a special event or program and can’t make the one on Saturday, contact Brentsville Courthouse History Center at 703-365-7895 or 703-792-4756.