Virginia Room Digital Collection

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The Virginia Room Digital Collection includes photographs, oral histories, books, pamphlets and finding aids to items in the Virginia Room. Continue to check back for new additions.

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The second Lucy Addison High School was built in 1951. Located at 1220 5th Street NW, the high school was in operation until 1973. The building now houses Lucy Addison Middle School.

This view of the Peaks of Otter includes the Elks' National Home (left) and Randolph-Macon Academy.

Randolph-Macon Academy (later Liberty Academy) was a Methodist preparatory school for boys. It was located in the 800 block of College Street in Bedford.

Commerce Street School, also called First Ward School, was located at the corner of Church Avenue and 2nd (Commerce) Street. Built in 1890, it was razed in 1929 to make room for the post office.

Belmont Elementary School was located on Dale Avenue in southeast Roanoke. The school was built in 1891 and remained in operation until 1974 when Fallon Park Elementary School was completed.

Riverside School was located on Riverdale Road SE. The school closed in 1952.

Virginia Heights Elementary School is located at 1210 Amherst Street SW.

William Ruffner Middle School, formerly located at 3601 Ferncliff Avenue NW. The school opened in 1970 and closed in 2009. The building is used as an operations center by Roanoke City Public Schools.

The second Lucy Addison High School (now Lucy Addison Middle School) under construction.

Monroe Junior High School, formerly located at 1122 19th Street NW.

William Fleming High School. This building would later become Breckinridge Middle School.

Viaud School was founded by Madame Viaud in 1926. The school was located at 105 Mountain Avenue SW when this photo was taken.

Lucy Addison High School opened in 1928. Located at 40 Douglass Avenue NW, the building now houses Roanoke City Public Schools Administrative Offices.

Unknown group portrait, possibly Sunday school or another church-related event

Heller Kindergarten portrait made behind the Gainsboro Library during the May Day festival

Unknown children’s meal, possibly at Hunton YMCA Daycare

Unknown children’s meal, possibly at Hunton YMCA Daycare

Unknown classroom portrait

Unknown school play or student performance

Unknown school choir performance

Harrison Elementary School faculty Halloween costume portrait

Harrison Elementary School costume party. Portrait of Sidney J. Phillips on top shelf.

Harrison Elementary School costume party

Roanoke High School was built in 1898 on the northeast corner of Church Avenue and 3rd Street SW. It became the school administration building in 1924 after Jefferson High School opened. It was razed in 1968 for construction of the Municipal…

Roanoke High School was built in 1898 on the northeast corner of Church Avenue and 3rd Street SW. It became the school administration building in 1924 after Jefferson High School opened. It was razed in 1968 for construction of the Municipal…

Lee Junior High School was built in 1912 at the intersection of Franklin Road and 2nd Street SW. It was razed in 1973 to clear the site for construction of the Richard H. Poff Federal Building.

Roanoke High School was built in 1898 on the northeast corner of Church Avenue and 3rd Street SW. It became the school administration building in 1924 after Jefferson High School opened. It was razed in 1968 for construction of the Municipal…

Wasena Elementary School is located at 1125 Sherwood Avenue SW.

Originally constructed in 1922, Jefferson High School was Roanoke's largest high school for half a century.

Built in 1920, Highland Park Elementary School is located at 1212 5th Street SW.

Stonewall Jackson Middle School located at 1004 Montrose Avenue SE. The school's name was changed to John P. Fishwick Middle School in 2018.

Lucy Addison High School opened in 1928. Located at 40 Douglass Avenue NW, the building now houses Roanoke City Public Schools Administrative Offices.

Jamison Elementary School was located on the southwest corner of Jamison Avenue and 14th Street SE. The school was built in 1916 and razed in 1975.

Stonewall Jackson Middle School located at 1004 Montrose Avenue SE shortly after completion. The school's name was changed to John P. Fishwick Middle School in 2018.

Morningside Elementary School, located at 1716 Wilson Street SE.

The Harrison School was completed in 1916. Two years later, the first high school classes for African American students began at Harrison School. Three students graduated in 1924, due largely to the persistence of Harrison's principal, Lucy…

Commerce Street School, also called First Ward School, was located at the corner of Church Avenue and 2nd (Commerce) Street. Built in 1890, it was razed in 1929 to make room for the post office.

Belmont Elementary School was located on Dale Avenue in southeast Roanoke. The school was built in 1891 and remained in operation until 1974 when Fallon Park Elementary School was completed.

Group portrait of students and faculty of the Alleghany Institute. Front row, left ot right: Ott Coleman, Jack Airheart, William ?; back row, left to right: B.S. Brooke, Eugene Turner, Ernest B. Fishburn, Billy Malone, D. Thomas Taylor, Romeo…

Group portrait of Alleghany Institute students. Individuals unidentifed.

The old Blacksburg High School, later old Blacksburg Middle School, was located in the 500 block of S. Main Street in Blacksburg. The middle school closed in 2002 after completion of the new midle school on Prices Fork Road. The building was razed…

Group photograph of the William Fleming High School band.

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School

Harrison School

Willis High School. The agricultural building is at right.

Mountain Normal School students posing in front of the dormitory building.

Willis High School after the addition was completed.

Willis High School shortly after opening.

The cornerstone of Willis High School.

Willis High School under construction.

The long abandoned old Mountain Normal School at Willis in Floyd County, VA. The Normal School opened in 1893.

Mountain Normal School dormitory at Willis in Floyd County, VA.

Willis High School in Floyd County, VA. The school closed after the 1961-62 school year.

– The George Washington Carver School was opened in the fall of 1940. The construction cost was $125,000. This new school was in response to the deterioration of the Water Street school

– The “Graded School A” was erected on Water Street as a six-room frame school in 1890-91 (the same year the Academy Street School opened for white students). By 1895, the school had an enrollment of 258 under the principal John Duckwilder.

The architectural drawing gracing this card was done by G.R. Ragan. The new high school, built on Broad Street, opened in 1912, relieving the overcrowded Academy Street school. Additions followed in 1920 and 1923, but the school was heavily damaged…

What is now known as the Academy Street School served Salem’s students for many years. The building on the right was constructed in 1890 with an addition (left) coming in 1895. The original portion served the lower grades and the addition became…

Aerial view of Cave Spring High School and Cave Spring Baptist Church.

Starkey School

Grisso-Gates School building, located on property of 5321 S. Roselawn Road in Cave Spring.

“Old” Bent Mountain School.

Ott and Lucy Poage at a dance at Back Creek Elementary School.

Back Creek School faculty photo; L to R: Ella Clark Henry, Rufus Henry, Mary Turner.

Student group at Bent Mountain School, mostly unidentified, though it does contain Virginia Walters and Cassie Fralin

1936 Graduating Class of Bent Mountain High School; Standing, L to R: Raymond Carr, George Powell, Homer Reed; Seated, L to R: Elois King, Margaret Jamison

Back Creek Elementary School

Bent Mountain Elementary School

Students at Back Creek School.

Haran School, front row, L to R: Blanche Ferguson, Robert Ferguson, Billy Bohon, Geneva Poage, Francis Martin, Mae Agee, Mamie Agee, Mina Day, Gladys Bohon, Claude Puckett, Omer Puckett, Floyd Bohon;
Second row, L to R: Lela Jenny, Nellie Ferguson,…

Back Creek High School 4-H Club, L to R: Mildred Bohon, Jane Coon, Josephine Grisso, Geraldine Grubb, Hazel Henderson, Mildred Jones, Sue Lane, Nancy Poage, Sara Lee Poage, Emily Rierson, Cornelia Simpson, Evelyn Webster, Irma Wright

School – probably the old log school house first used for Haran School before larger facility was built.

May Day at Back Creek School, L to R: Catherine Bowling, Frances Grubb, Frances Gill, Lotherine Lavinder (Queen), Josephine Grisso, Evelyn Webster; in the front is crown-bearer Nadine Henderson

Back Creek High School, Junior Class, Front row, L to R: Nancy Poage, Pete Christley, Herbert Henderson, Jr., Norman Lavinder, Mary Bowling; Back row, L to R: Bertha Christley, Carl Wade, Bertha Bohon, Martha Jane Henry

Sophomore Class at Back Creek School: L to R: Billy Agee, Jane Coon, Edmund Chamberlain, Douglas Grisso, Louis Grisso, Hazel Henderson, John Jones, Mildred Jones, Lotherine Lavinder, Sara Lee Poage, Evelyn Webster

School group at old Back Creek School on Landmark Circle in Southwest Roanoke County.

School group at old Back Creek School on Landmark Circle in Southwest Roanoke County.

School group at old Back Creek School on Landmark Circle in Southwest Roanoke County.

School group at old Back Creek School on Landmark Circle in Southwest Roanoke County.

Back Creek School, back row L to R: Bernice Harmon, Charlie Blankenship, Lonzie Janney, Dempsey Grisso, Dean Dores; Second row, L to R: Buster Webster, Edison Likens, Isaac Sutphin, Grover Sink, Harry Cannaday, Grant Christley; Front row, L to R:…

Students at old Back Creek School on Landmark Circle in Southwest Roanoke County.

Spectators at Back Creek Elementary School for Back Creek baseball game.

Present-day residence that was the former Haran School, located at 7910 Bent Mountain Road.

Students and teachers in front of Back Creek School.

Students and teachers in front of Back Creek School.

Aerial view to the northeast of current Route 419 at intersection with Ogden Road. Ogden Road is seen at the top of the photo. At top, right is Ogden Elementary School. The area to the right of the railroad tracks is Cox Communications and Old…

Aerial view showing Green Valley Elementary School, upper right.

Students and teachers in front of Back Creek School. Ann Hogan w/tie upper left of group (principal/teacher),

Back Creek Elementary School.

Miss Annie Bohon sells ice cream during lunch at Back Creek Elementary School. The ice cream cooler was inside the front door of the school.

6th graders in Back Creek School classroom.

Unidentified children at Back Creek School.

Students at Back Creek School.

Back Creek School students. Pictured are Principal Grant McGee, teacher Ann Hogan, who later married McGee. All others unidentified.

Back Creek School girls basketball team. Pictured are Margaret Henry Hartman and Mildred Henry Dimond. All others unidentified.

Back Creek Elementary School under re-construction.

Back Creek High School. Pictured are: Teachers Grant McGhee, Elsie Kennedy and Ann Hogan McGhee, George Beach, Paul Ferguson, Bowman Ferguson, Clifton Grisso, Wilson Moser, Edwin Garner, Aaron Martin, Clayton Tinnell Sr., Kenneth Grisso, Carl Wade,…

Back Creek High School. L to R: Gertie Hopper, Glenna Christley, Camile Lavender, Cleda Grisso, Elsie Christley; man at back is Shelton Gates.

W.F. Bolton's 8th grade class at Back Creek School.

Hazel Tinsley and Mauvieleen S. Altis in front of Back Creek Elementary School.

Students in front of Back Creek School.

Back Creek School.

Back Creek School with "new" addition.

Students at old Back Creek School on Landmark Circle in Southwest Roanoke County.

Unidentified students in front of Mt. Pleasant School in Roanoke County.

The old campus-style Patrick Henry High School was dedicated on 17 December 1960. It was replaced with a conventional school building in 2008.

Wasena Elementary School, located at 1125 Sherwood Avenue.

Grandin Court Elementary School, located at 2815 Spessard Avenue.

A newly constructed Virginia Heights Elementary School (right) stands next to the old Virginia Heights Elementary.

The gymnasium addition at Woodrow Wilson Middle School.

The old campus-style Patrick Henry High School was dedicated on 17 December 1960. It was replaced with a conventional school building in 2008.

Raleigh Court Elementary School, located at 2202 Grandin Road, opened in 1960 and served students through the end of the 2009 school year.

Fishburn Park Elementary School, located at 3057 Colonial Avenue.

A newly completed Woodrow Wilson Middle School, located at 1813 Carter Road.

Virginia Heights Elementary School is seen in the background. In the foreground is the foundation being laid for Virginia Heights Baptist Church.

Roanoke's first African-American hospital, Burrell Memorial, was founded in 1915 in a small cottage on Henry Street. It soon outgrew the Henry Street location and moved into the former Alleghany Institute, a school for boys located at 611 McDowell…

"High School, Salem, Virginia"

"Andrew Lewis High School, Salem, Virginia"

"Carver School, Salem. Roanoke County consolidated high school for negroes."

"Andrew Lewis High School, Salem"

"Jefferson High School, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Jefferson High School, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Commerce Street Graded School, Roanoke, Virginia."

"High School, Roanoke Virginia."

" New grammar school, Roanoke, Virginia."

Harrison School Faculty 1948/1950.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually expanding the curriculum to…

Mr. Thomas Payne's first class.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually expanding the curriculum to…

Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

The original Back Creek School, located just off of Route 221, was used until the current Back Creek Elementary was constructed in 1937.

Oakland Elementary School, formerly located at 3229 Williamson Road NW. Oakland is now the Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy at Oakland.

Morningside Elementary School, located at 1716 Wilson Street SE.

Woodrow Wilson Middle School, located at 1813 Carter Road SW.

Norwich School opened in 1891 in the 2200 block of Roanoke Avenue SW. The school was closed in 1979.

Monroe Junior High School, formerly located at 1122 19th Street NW.

Jefferson High School.

Lord Botetourt High School, located at 1435 Roanoke Road in Daleville.

Typical classroom of an unknown Roanoke school.

Andrew Lewis High School, (now Middle School) is located at 616 S. College Avenue in Salem.

Lincoln Terrace Elementary School, located at 1802 Liberty Road NW.

The playground at Greenvale Nursery School, located at 627 Westwood Boulevard NW.

Children in the nursery of Greenvale School, located at 627 Westwood Boulevard Northwest.

A teacher reads to children at the Greenvale Nursery School, located at 627 Westwood Boulevard.

Greenvale Nursery School., located at 627 Westwood Boulevard NW.

Lord Botetourt High School, located at 1435 Roanoke Road, Daleville.

Greenvale Nursery School., located at 627 Westwood Boulevard NW.

Students in front of Narrows School in the Catawba Valley. 1st row, L to R: Students in front of Narrows School in the Catawba Valley. 1st row, L to R: Hubert Brillhart, Kyle Shelor, Clovis Garman, ? Bennett, ? Bennett, Edna Brillhart, Hazel…

Students in front of Shiloh School in Catawba Valley. 1st row, L to R: Hortense Deeds, Eva Reed, Gladys Grisso, Edna Wright, Mary Garman, Paris Wright, Roy Hall, Claude Garman, Nelson Alls, John Garman, Kermit Garman, Roy Brillhart, Clyde Brillhart,…

Unidentified students and teachers in front of school in Shawsville in Montgomery County.

Unidentified students and teachers in front of school in Shawsville in Montgomery County.

Unidentified students and teachers in front of school in Shawsville in Montgomery County.

Students from an unknown private school in Bedford. According to notes on photo, "This is a private school in Bedford at Mrs. Witt's house. Miss Amelia Buck, in center, is the teacher.

Aerial view of Virginia College.

View of Highland Park Elementary School, located at 1212 5th Street.

A view of 10th Street NW at Williamson Road and the Oakland School.

Students of Commerce Street School. Commerce Street School or First Ward School stood at the corner of Church Avenue and 2nd Street (Commerce). The school was built in 1890 and razed in 1929 to make way for the post office.

Fourth grade class from First Ward or Commerce Street School.

Kroger training school, location unknown.

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Ryan Hall, the first school building for Roanoke Catholic. The building was razed in 1999.

Southview Elementary School, located on Peters Creek Road. The building is now used for Roanoke County administrative offices.

Preston Park Elementary School.

Patrick Henry High School.

Patrick Henry High School under construction.

Patrick Henry High School under construction.

Jefferson High School junior class.

Jefferson High School from Campbell Avenue.

Lucy Addison High School, shortly after completion of the addition.

Lucy Addison High School after completion of the addition.

Lucy Addison High School shortly after construction

Stonewall Jackson Middle School, located at 1004 Montrose Avenue. The school's name was changed to John P. Fishwick Middle School in 2018.

Stonewall Jackson Middle School, located at 1004 Montrose Avenue. The school name was changed to John P. Fishwick Middle School in 2018.

Lee Junior High School, formerly located at Franklin Road and 2nd Street.

Raleigh Court Elementary School

Raleigh Court Elementary School

Raleigh Court Elementary School

Raleigh Court Elementary School

Hurt Park Elementary, located at 1525 Salem Avenue.

Hurt Park Elementary School, located at 1525 Salem Avenue.

Pleasant View School, often called Moomaw School, which stood on Moomaw land on the corner of Cove and Hershberger Roads.

Gilmer School once stood on Gilmer Avenue in the general area of the Roanoke Civic Center.

Rear of West End School, formerly located at 912 Campbell Avenue.

West End Elementary School, formerly located at 918 Campbell Avenue. In this photo, the school is nearing completion.

Belmont Elementary School was located on Dale Avenue in southeast Roanoke. The school was built in 1891 and remained in operation until 1974 when Fallon Park Elementary School was completed.

Belmont Elementary School was located on Dale Avenue in southeast Roanoke. The school was built in 1891 and remained in operation until 1974 when Fallon Park Elementary School was completed.

The Virginia College for Young Women under construction. The school was formerly located in the South Roanoke neighborhood at the end of Rosalind Avenue.

Class of the Alleghany Institute. Burrell Memorial Hospital took it over and built the hospital.

Roanoke High School was formerly located on the northeast corner of Church Avenue and 3rd Street where the Noel C. Taylor Municipal building stands today.

Highland Park Elementary School, located at 1212 5th Street.

A nearly gone Commerce Street or First Ward School. The school stood at Church Avenue and 2nd Street and was razed to make way for the post office.

A nearly gone Commerce Street or First Ward School. The school stood at Church Avenue and 2nd Street and was razed to make way for the post office.

Commerce Street School, also called First Ward School, was located at the corner of Church Avenue and 2nd (Commerce) Street. Built in 1890, it was razed in 1929 to make room for the post office.

Demolition of the Commerce Street School, also known as the First Ward School.

Commerce Street School being razed to make room for the post office. Greene Memorial United Methodist Church can be seen in background.
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