Howland Graded School
Founded in 1867 this school was built to educate former slaves. It was funded by New York educator and philanthropist, Emily Howard. The one room schoolhouse is 26 x 40 feet and was built by local black carpenters and builders. It was known as a graded school because it only educated grades 1 through 7.
Originally it was called the Howland Chapel because on Sundays it also served as a place of worship (for what would become the First Baptist Church congregation) until 1920. The school closed its doors in 1958 after being a schoohouse for almost 100 years. It is little altered from the Reconstruction era, but got new siding and minor restoration in 1991. This is the oldest school in Northumberland County, Virginia. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Howland Graded School
Founded in 1867 this school was built to educate former slaves. It was funded by New York educator and philanthropist, Emily Howard. The one room schoolhouse is 26 x 40 feet and was built by local black carpenters and builders. It was known as a graded school because it only educated grades 1 through 7.
Originally it was called the Howland Chapel because on Sundays it also served as a place of worship (for what would become the First Baptist Church congregation) until 1920. The school closed its doors in 1958 after being a schoohouse for almost 100 years. It is little altered from the Reconstruction era, but got new siding and minor restoration in 1991. This is the oldest school in Northumberland County, Virginia. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.