Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, Interviews and Documents

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This subcollection contains captioned videos of the interviews, alongside their transcriptions, abstracts, and tape logs. There are also other supporting documents.

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Alberta Parrish interview (2014-02-19)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Alberta Parrish discusses growing up in Goochland County, Virginia, in the 1930s through the 1950s. She describes her racially mixed neighborhood; memories of attending Bunker Hill School, Second Union School, and Central High School; her career as a beautician; and her participation in the PTA. Alberta Parrish provides a description of the physical layout and facilities of Bunker Hill School and Second Union School. She also comments on the segregation present in her community prior to school integration.
Application for Aid from the Julius Rosenwald Fund, Year Beginning July 1, 1923 and Ending June 30, 1924

An application for aid from the Julius Rosenwald Fund, this form outlines the information a community needed to provide prior to being approved for funding.
Calvin Hopkins interview (2014-03-21)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Calvin Hopkins discusses his family background and his upbringing in Goochland County, Virginia. He describes his experiences attending Second Union School in the 1950s, including memories of the principal and teachers, student activities, the physical layout of the school, class subjects, and school resources. He also recalls his experiences as a substitute bus driver for Second Union School and recounts his experiences serving in the Air Force in the 1960s through the 1980s. Calvin Hopkin discusses how his educational background in Goochland County prepared him for his life after school, and comments on the impact a segregated education had on him and the community. He also describes efforts to preserve the Second Union building and convert it for use as a Rosenwald school museum.
Curtis Parrish interview (2014-02-19)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Curtis Parrish discusses his family background and childhood on a farm in Goochland County, Virginia; his memories of Chapel Hill School and Central High School; and his careers in the military, the printing business, and the funerary business. He discusses the principals and teachers at Chapel Hill School and Central High School, the layout of the classrooms, and subjects taught. Curtis Parrish describes efforts by his father and other community members to procure supplies for the students at the area Rosenwald schools. He also talks about problems with the current educational system; and the difficult public school environment his children encountered in Philadelphia, Pa.
Dedication of Miller Public School, Friday March 30th 1928 at 12 o'clock

Program for the dedication ceremony of Miller Public School, Goochland County, Virginia on March 30, 1928.
Earline Pace interview (2013-10-04)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Earline Pace discusses her family background and childhood in Goochland County, Virginia. She describes her memories of attending Chapel Hill School and Central High School, including details of the building layout, memorable teachers, resources, activities and curriculum. Earline Pace also discusses her life after graduation; her career as a state employee between 1967 and 1995; her retirement; and her husband and children.
Eva Anthony interview (2014-01-31)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Eva Anthony discusses growing up in Maidens, Goochland County, Virginia. She describes her family background, their experiences of being the only black family in their neighborhood, and her memories of attending Beaver Dam School and Central High School. Eva Anthony also discusses the presence of the Ku Klux Klan in Goochland County in the 30s and early 40s. She describes the layout of Beaver Dam School, and recalls her memories of being a student in Goochland County. She also discusses efforts by her own and other families to get Rosenwald schools built in the area, and describes her son's experiences in being the first to integrate Goochland Elementary School.
Francis Anderson interview (2014-03-21)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Francis Anderson discusses her childhood growing up in Goochland County, Virginia, including her memories of attending Chapel Hill School, Backbone School and Central High School. She describes a typical day at Chapel Hill School, along with memories of classes, special events and activities, and teachers that lived in the community. Francis Anderson discusses the effect her experiences at Goochland County schools had on the rest of her life and career; her reaction at the time to the closure of schools in Prince Edward County; and the impact a segregated education had on her and other students. She also talks about her children's experiences attending newly-integrated schools in Goochland County; the establishment of a local NAACP chapter; and her careers as a teacher's aide and a community service worker.
Gail Smith interview (2014-03-28)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Gail Smith discusses her childhood and the community in Goochland County, Virginia, in the 1950s; her grandmother's position in the community as a local business owner; and her careers in New York City and Richmond. She recounts memories of attending Second Union School, Central Elementary School and Central High School; describing the curriculum, the principals and teachers, and some of the recreational activities offered at those schools, such as the May Day program. Gail Smith comments on Second Union School's use by the local church after area schools integrated. She also discusses her perception of race relations and desegregation in the Goochland area.
Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project Interview Excerpts

Interviews conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. Discussion topics include the segregation of schools and the community, the administration of area Rosenwald schools, and the structure of school lessons.
Haywood Pace interview (2014-03-21)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Haywood Pace discusses his family background and upbringing in his Goochland County, Virginia, community. He talks about the close-knit neighborhood; his experiences as a student at Cedar Plain Elementary School, Central Elementary School, and Central High School; the types of subjects and vocational training that were made available to him at those schools; and his subsequent employment at DuPont and the opportunities he received there. He also provides descriptions of local community activists who sought to procure educational resources for African American students.
Ina Dun-Moodie interview (2014-03-28)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Ina Dun-Moodie discusses her family background, childhood friends and upbringing in Goochland County, Virginia. She reminisces about her time at Second Union School and Central High School, including details of the subjects, teachers, and school activities. Ina Dun-Moodie also talks about the layout, conditions and resources of Second Union School, and her memories of preparing for May Day. She discusses her move out of the area and employment with Western Electric and AT&T, and later with Goochland County schools as a teacher’s aide, after her return to Goochland County. Ina Dun-Moodie also reflects on race relations in the Goochland County area and Alyce Miller describes the background of and impetus for the Rosenwald Fund.
James Bowles interview 1 (2013-10-04)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, James Bowles discusses growing up in his Goochland County, Virginia, community, and recalls memories of attending Caledonia School and Fauquier Training School, including the recreational activities, curriculum, and teachers at those schools. James Bowles mentions his experiences at Virginia Union University and Meharry Medical College and describes his reasons for becoming a doctor. He discusses race relations in Goochland County; his involvement with the NAACP, and civil rights actions taken to improve conditions for teachers and students. James Bowles also describes the desegregation of Goochland schools and his daughter's experiences attending the newly-integrated Goochland High School.
James Bowles interview 2 (2014-01-31)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this second interview, James Bowles discusses his experiences on the Board of Supervisors of Goochland County, Virginia, between 1972 and 2004; efforts to address the unequal educational opportunities for blacks in Goochland County; the establishment of his medical practice in 1953 and its place in the community; and his memories of politically active figures in the Richmond and Goochland areas. He also discusses his perceptions of educational opportunities for African Americans, and the formation of the Goochland chapter of the NAACP in the 1950s in order to promote equality of educational opportunity.
Joseph Haden interview (2014-03-28)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Rev. Joseph Haden describes his family background and his childhood growing up on a farm in Goochland County, Virginia. He discusses his memories of attending Second Union School and Central High School; and talks about the teachers and individuals that have influenced his life and career, including his aunt, Berta Haden Jackson, and Fannie Beale, the principal at Second Union School. He recalls his experiences at Virginia Union University and the University of Virginia, and describes his careers as a pastor, educator, and magazine editor and publisher. Joseph Haden also discusses his perceptions of race relations growing up in Goochland County and his work as an advisory specialist for the Goochland County school system following school integration.
Mattie Lee Harris Johnson interview (2014-03-21)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Mattie Lee Harris Johnson discusses her family background and her childhood growing up on a farm in Goochland County, Virginia. She describes her memories of attending Chapel Hill School, Second Union School, Central Elementary School, and Central High School; including details of classes, taking the bus to school, her favorite teachers, and recreational activities. She also reminisces about the physical layout of the Chapel Hill School. Mattie Lee Harris Johnson notes how she attended Smith-Madden Business College after high school, and discusses her subsequent employment at the Department of Education. She also talks about racial segregation she encountered growing up, and describes the benefits she received from having attended Goochland County schools.
Phyllis Parrish interview (2013-09-09)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Phyllis Parrish discusses her family background and childhood in Goochland County, Virginia and her memories of attending Second Union School and Central High School. She also recounts what a typical day at Second Union School was like; and discusses teachers, facilities, resources, and equipment at Second Union School. Phyllis Parrish also describes her education and employment in New York City after high school.
Plan for Distribution of Aid for Building Rural Schoolhouses, Year Beginning July 1, 1923 and Ending June 30, 1924

Outlines the conditions by which the Julius Rosenwald Fund awarded aid to communities in the Southern States for the construction of schools for African Americans. It also describes the role in the construction of the school that the community undertook upon acceptance of aid.
Plan for Distribution of Aid from the Julius Rosenwald Fund for Building Rural Schoolhouses in the South, For the Year Beginning July 1, 1922 and Ending June 30, 1923

Outlines the conditions by which the Julius Rosenwald Fund awarded aid to communities in the Southern States for the construction of schools for African Americans. It also describes the role in the construction of the school that the community undertook upon acceptance of aid.
Raymond Miller interview (2014-03-26)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Raymond Miller discusses his family background and childhood in the Hadensville area of Goochland County, Virginia. He recalls his mother’s decision to send him to Second Union School, and discusses his experiences attending Second Union School, Central Elementary School and Central High School, describing memorable principals, teachers, subjects and recreational activities offered. He recalls the emphasis on fundamentals, character building and life skills in his educational experience and describes his involvement with the New Farmers of America at school. Raymond Miller also talks about the NAACP scholarship he was awarded, which enabled him to attend Virginia Union University, where he received a degree in business administration. He and Alyce Miller discuss the administration and funding of the area Rosenwald schools, and Raymond Miller describes how individuals and groups in the community worked to address the needs of the students. He also discusses his experience facing discrimination in the workplace, his career in insurance, and his family.
Rosenwald Interview Excerpts

Interviews conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. Discussion topics include memories of walking to school, daily activities and routines at Goochland County Rosenwald schools, and the staff at the schools. Interviewees also discuss the educational resources available to Rosenwald schools.
Ruth Cooke Johnson interview (2013-10-04)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Ruth Cooke Johnson discusses her youth in Goochland County, Virginia, and her parents' careers as owners of a local nightclub and restaurant, which her family continued to operate until 1988. She also discusses her memories of attending Backbone Elementary School and Central High School, which include descriptions of a typical day at school, the curriculum, the school layout, and recreational activities that were available to students. Ruth Cooke also talks about her family's involvement in the NAACP and community activism efforts at the time, highlighting her father's earlier role in the establishment of a bus program for local African American students and her daughter’s experiences attending newly-integrated schools.
Sherman Ware interview (2014-03-21)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, Sherman Ware discusses his family and upbringing in Goochland County, Virginia, in the 1950s; his memories of attending Cedar Plain Elementary School and Central Elementary School; and his experiences driving a school bus as a high school student and after graduation. He also discusses members of the community who were involved in educational activism and the administration of Rosenwald schools.
Vivian Knight Bowles interview (2013-10-04)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated.In this interview, Vivian Knight Bowles discusses his family background and childhood in Goochland County, Virginia, and his memories of attending Sandy Hook Elementary School and Goochland High School. He discusses other schools in the area; changes that have taken place in Goochland County over time; and how he has remained connected to the area while living in other locations. Vivian Knight Bowles also discusses his perceptions of segregation while he was a student in Goochland County.
William Quarles, Jr. interview (2014-03-28)

An interview conducted as part of the Goochland County Rosenwald Schools Oral History Project, 2013-2015, documenting education in Goochland County, Virginia, particularly the impact of the Rosenwald Schools, and the differences between the education offered to white and black students during the period the Rosenwald Schools operated. In this interview, William Quarles discusses his family background and childhood in communities in Goochland County and Louisa County, Virginia. He describes attending schools in both Goochland and Louisa counties; along with reminiscences of memorable teachers, favorite subjects, and recreational activities. William Quarles compares his experiences of attending integrated and non-integrated schools, and discusses memories of civil rights activities at that time and the value placed on education by African American communities. He also talks about options for higher education available to African Americans at that time; his education at Virginia Union University; and his subsequent career in education and nuclear power.