Our History

1896
1896
Plessy v. Ferguson

US Supreme Court decision Plessy v. Ferguson established the “separate but equal” doctrine.

Plessy v. Ferguson

1939
1939
Construction

Moton School built to hold 180 students.

1940
1940
Growth

Enrollment grows to over 450; “tar-paper shacks” built. Moton PTA petitions for new high school.

1951
1951
Student Strike

Moton students strike to protest conditions. First lawsuit filed, Davis v. County School Board, calling for an end to segregated education. 

1953
1953
New Moton High School Built

New Moton High School built for black students. Old building becomes Mary E. Branch Elementary.

Moton High School Auditorium
Credit: National Archives
1954
1954
Brown v. Board of Education Decision

Davis case decided in Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which declares segregated education unconstitutional.

Farmville School Rally

1955
1955
Brown II Ruling

Supreme Court rules in Brown II that public school desegregation should occur “with all deliberate speed.”

 

1959
1959
Public Schools Close

Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors votes to close public schools rather than desegregate them.

1963
1963
Free Schools Open

Prince Edward Free Schools open to provide free education to all children in the county.

1964
1964
Robert F. Kennedy Visits

Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy visits Prince Edward County in May 1964.

Robert Kennedy visits Farmville
Courtesy of the Farmville Herald
1964
County Schools Reopen

County schools reopen after Supreme Court ruling in Griffin v. County School Board.

1995
1995
Moton School Closes

After 56 years of service, the Moton School is closed. Martha E. Forrester Council of Women commits to lead the conversion to the Moton Museum.

1998
1998
Moton School named a National Historic Landmark
2001
2001
Moton Museum Opens

Moton Museum opens on the 50th anniversary of the student strike.

2011
2011
Children of Courage Exhibit Debuts

First phase of The Moton School Story: Children of Courage exhibition debuts on the 60th anniversary of the student strike. 

2013
2013
Children of Courage Exhibition Finished

The Moton School Story: Children of Courage permanent exhibition opens.

The Moton School Story: Children of Courage exhibit

2015
2015
Moton Museum enters partnership with Longwood University