About

An outstanding example of a “Rosenwald” school, the Scrabble School was built in 1921 in Rappahannock County, Virginia, to provide improved elementary education to African-American children living nearby. The African-American community provided the bulk of the construction and donated $1,100, with white residents assisting and donating $125. An $800 challenge grant from the Julius Rosenwald Foundation and a contribution from the county completed the total budget of $3,225.

For over 45 years, the Scrabble School provided solid early education for many students until ceasing operation with integration in 1967. Alumni recall devoted teachers and rigorous standards.

The building stands on its original site on what is now called Scrabble Road (Route 626) off Route 522.

During spring 2009, the building was rehabilitated and is being adaptively reused as the county’s Senior Center. Soon, the renovated structure will incorporate interpretive and historical materials on view to the public that will tell the story of the school, the community it once served, and its place in local, state, and national history.

For more information, see the News page on this blog, or visit the website of the Scrabble School Preservation Foundation at www.scrabbleschool.org.