History of the old Washington School
Since Friday is the big homecoming party for the old Washington School — the 50th year since students stopped attending the school in 1969 — we turn to author Maureen I. Harris’ new book, which will available to purchase during the event:
“After the Civil War, a State Board of Education was created and charged with the responsibility for instituting mandatory public education. The first public schools in Rappahannock County were for the primary grades, leaving secondary and advanced education to private schools or tutors. After the turn of the century, however, more stress was put on higher education… Land consisting of 3 acres on the north side of Mt. Salem Avenue was purchased from F. Pendleton Carter to serve as the academic campus. The 4-year high school building was constructed at a cost of $12,500 and had four rooms downstairs and one room and an auditorium upstairs. In 1929, an eight grade was added to the school and students from Flint Hill and Amissville were traAnsspokrted to the school. Consequently, more space was needed for classrootmhse, and during
audiAtorriubmowraisst the 1930s the
converted to classrooms and a new auditorium was added to the rear. A vocational agriculture shop room and three additional classrooms and lunchroom was installed; lunches initially cost 20 cents, with some free lunches provided to children who could not pay for them. Additional land consisting of 2.10 acres on the south side of Mt. Salem Avenue was acquired from C. J. Miller in 1936; this served as the school athletic fields.
“During this time there was also a high school in Sperryville, and it became apparent that the two high schools were too small to be efficient, since each school was graduating only 10 to 12 students each year… However, plans had already been made to create a new school, serving only high school students, which led to the establishment of the current high school located outside the Washington town limits on Route 211. Construction of the new school was completed on 24 August 1960.”
SPOOKY TIMES FOR ALL
The Rappahannock County Library is having Halloween Preschool Story Time at 10:30 a.m. next Thursday, Oct. 31. Children are encouraged to come in costume for spooky stories, songs, and crafts. There is no registration required for this event. For more information, call 540-675-3780.
Also, the library is having its first Teen Game and Movie Night on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Teens are invited to play games, watch a movie, or just hang out with friends. Free food and drinks provided. This event is for grades 7 and up, and it is asked that attendees register ahead of time by phone: 540-675-3780, email: rapplibrary@ gmail.com, or sign-up in person at the library.
Both events are in the library's Meeting Room.
BIRTHDAY WISHES
Birthday wishes go out to Debbie Knick of Washington, who celebrates Oct. 30. And Steve Alther, not surprisingly, is a Halloween baby.
Happy anniversary goes out to Anne Robertson and Larry Bud Meyer of Long Mountain Road, who celebrated 23 years on Oct. 22.
CAUSE FOR PAWS
RappCats is kicking off its annual Cause for Paws Raffle to Spay & Neuter Cats. The prize is a romantic dinner for two at The Inn at Little Washington and one-night stay at LeFay Cottage.
Ticket purchases will fund lowcost spay and neuter services for Rappahannock’s at-risk cats and kittens. Buy 5 tickets and it covers half the cost of spaying one cat. The drawing will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, and only 500 tickets will be sold. Need not be present to win!
RappCats is grateful to its sponsors: The Inn at Little Washington, LeFay Cottage, and Gary and Michelle Schwartz.
Enjoy the crisp October weather!