• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Alert

COVID-19 Related Library Service News and Updates More Info

arlingtonva.us
MENUMENU
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • About My Account
    • My eAccounts
    • Join Now
  • Holds Pickup
  • Locations
  • News
  • Help
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • By Appointment
  • Contact Us

Arlington Public Library

MENUMENU
  • Events
    • Explore Online Programs
    • Featured Events
    • Events Calendar
  • Search
      • Browse New
      • Browse All
  • eCollection
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • Digital Magazines
    • Learning Tools
    • Research Tools
  • Research
    • Research Portal
    • Research Tools A-Z
    • Local History
  • Services
    • Accessibility Services
    • Borrowing
    • Holds Pickup
    • Get Reading Recs
    • Nonprofits
    • Resume & Job Search
    • Technology
    • Wi-Fi
    • Unavailable Services
    • Accounts and Borrowing
    • Computer Services
    • Meeting Rooms
    • Accessibility Services During COVID-19
    • Make an Appointment
    • More Services
  • Explore
    • Catalog
      • Catalog Search
      • Catalog Browse
      • Digital Archives
      • Borrowing Collections
      • Book Lists
    • Kids & Teens
      • For Babies and Preschoolers
      • For Elementary Schoolers
      • Middle and High Schoolers
    • Local History
      • Research Room
      • Community Archives
      • Digital Collection
    • Support the Library
      • Friends of the Library
      • Giving Opportunities
      • Donating Materials
    • Popular
      • Lynda.com
      • Consumer Reports
      • Overdrive
      • RBdigital
    • EXPLORE MORE
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • My eAccounts
    • About My Account
    • Get a Free Library Card
  • Holds Pickup
  • Locations
  • News
  • Help
  • Contact Us

Exploring the Story of Desegregation in Arlington Public Schools

"Project DAPS"

The richly documented story of public school desegregation in Virginia will be made accessible online by the County that led the way.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, in conjunction with the 2017 Feel the Heritage Festival, Arlington Public Library launches Projectdaps.org, a unique online exhibition and searchable database – built from thousands of photos, documents and recordings – surrounding the legal and moral battles that culminated with four courageous African American students taking their seats on Feb. 2, 1959 at Arlington’s Stratford Junior High School.

black and white photograph of black students entering Stratford Junior High in 1959

Ronald Deskins, Michael Jones, Lance Newman, and Gloria Thompson walked into Stratford Junior High School on February 2, 1959. Center for Local History, Arlington Public Library

 

“Project DAPS” (Desegregation of Arlington Public Schools) is culled from the holdings of the Library’s Community Archives in the Center for Local History (CLH) at Central Library.

The project explores the historic narrative starting with early integration efforts amid Arlington’s rapid growth of the 1940s. Many items were recently digitized for the first time.

In 2016, the Stratford school property was declared a local historic district. Library Director Diane Kresh says the timing was perfect for creating a “complementary and comprehensive digital collection to tell the story of this signal milestone in our rich community history.”

Because there are always more layers of history to find and examine, the CLH continually seeks community donations and oral histories, particularly as they relate to desegregation following the historic day at Stratford. To contribute, contact the CLH at 703-228-5966 or localhistory@arlingtonva.us.

This digital access project was completed using new FY2017 funding in the Department of Libraries budget dedicated to increasing public access to government records and archival materials.

The Center for Local History at Arlington Public Library is committed to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of Arlington County. 

 

February 2, 2017 by Web Editor

Filed Under: Center for Local History, News Tagged With: local history news

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jacqulyn shives says

    March 3, 2017 at 12:24 am

    The Quote “by the county that led the way.??? I grew up in adjacent Fairfax and we did not have to be led kicking and screaming to do the right thing. Oh how short our memories are. Redlined neighborhoods and Private Pools for white only neighbor hoods are still a reality for Arlington. Do not “whitewash” history. These african american students had it rough from kids ,adults and teachers. Bravo to them.. and to their parents.

Primary Sidebar


The Center for Local History: Where Stories Live


Arlington’s First Black Legislators


William T. Syphax: Taking a Stand


4 black students walk into the Stratford School, 1959

Oral History: The First Students to Desegregate Arlington Public Schools


Lutrelle Parker

Rediscover Lutrelle Fleming Parker, Sr.


This Week in 19th Amendment History: The 19th Amendment is Officially Adopted


Read more blog posts from the Center for Local History


Center for Local History


Central Library, First Floor
1015 North Quincy Street
Arlington VA 22201
703-228-5990

Footer

Explore

  • Catalog
  • eCollection
  • Research
  • Services
  • Kids and Teens
  • Local History
  • Events
  • more

About Us

  • Mission & Vision
  • Policies
  • Library Administration
  • Job Opportunities
  • For Partners
  • News Room

Support Your Library

  • Friends of the Library
  • Giving Opportunities
  • Donating Materials
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Our Mission

We champion the power of stories, information and ideas.

We create space for culture and connection.

We embrace inclusion and diverse points of view.

Download the Library App

Arlington County | Terms & Conditions | <!-- Accessibility | --> Site Map
· Copyright © 2021 Arlington County Government ·