1896 – US Supreme Court decision Plessy v. Ferguson establishes a “separate but equal” doctrine.
1939 – Moton School built to hold 180 students
1940s – Enrollment grows to over 450; “tar-paper shacks” built. Moton PTA petitions for new high school.
1951 – Moton students strike to protest conditions. First lawsuit filed, Davis v. County School Board, calling for an end to segregated education.
1953 – New Moton High School built for black students. Old building becomes Mary E. Branch Elementary.
1954 – Davis case decided in Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which declares segregated education unconstitutional.
1955 – Supreme Court rules in Brown II that public school desegregation should occur “with all deliberate speed.”
1959 – Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors votes to close public schools rather than desegregate them.
1963-64 – Prince Edward Free Schools open to provide free education to all children in the county. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy visits the county in May 1964.
1964 – County schools reopen after Supreme Court ruling in Griffin v. County School Board.
1995 – After 56 years of service, building is closed. Martha E. Forrester Council of Women commits to lead conversion of Moton School to Moton Museum.
1998 – Moton School named a National Historic Landmark.
2001 – Museum opens on the 50th anniversary of the student strike.
2011 – First phase of The Moton School Story: Children of Courage exhibition debuts on the 60th anniversary of the student strike.
2013 – The Moton School Story: Children of Courage permanent exhibition opens.
2015 – Moton Museum enters partnership with Longwood University.