Home / Education / Historic Virginia School Becomes Vibrant Museum
Historic Virginia School Becomes Vibrant Museum
15 Nov
Summary
- Union Street School, historic Black education site, reopened as a museum.
- The 1884 building was restored for $6.2 million.
- It will now serve as a museum and community centre in Leesburg.
The former Union Street School in Leesburg, Virginia, has been reborn as a museum and community centre following a significant restoration. This historic 1884 building, which once served Black children during the Jim Crow era, officially reopened its doors on November 14. The project, costing approximately $6.2 million, aimed to preserve the building's historical integrity while equipping it for modern use.
The refurbished Union Street School will now function as a hub for both education and community engagement. Its museum component will offer insights into Black education and community life in Loudoun County during segregation. The space will also be available for local meetings and activities, fostering a more inclusive narrative for the area.
Originally established in 1884 as the Leesburg Training Center, the school played a vital role in educating African American students until its closure in 1958. Following its service as a school, the building was used as a storage facility for decades before its transfer to county government in 2019. The restoration included critical updates to its structure, windows, flooring, and the addition of modern amenities like an elevator and new restroom facilities.
The Loudoun Freedom Center will manage the building through the county's Resident Curator Program, ensuring its ongoing preservation and public accessibility. This initiative signifies a commitment to bringing historic properties back into public use while safeguarding their heritage and celebrating the rich African American history of Loudoun County.
