Jill Ogline Titus

Jill Titus, author of Brown’s Battleground: Students, Segregationists, & the Struggle for Justice in Prince Edward County, Virginia, will be holding a book talk at the Robert Russa Moton Museum on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 10 am.

Ms. Titus has long held an interest in Brown v. Board of Education. Her interest in Brown, however, quickly developed into a passion for the Prince Edward story when she learned about it as an intern in the National Park Service’s Historic Landmarks program.

“I couldn’t believe that this story wasn’t up there in the public mind with Birmingham and Selma as one of the greatest battles of the civil rights movement,” she said.

“Once I had a taste of the story, I couldn’t help but want to know more.”

Details about a commitment to segregation so strong as to shut down the county’s public school system captured her imagination; the tremendous impact that the school closings had in Prince Edward County and in the nation as a whole inspired her to dig deeper.

“I think the Prince Edward story challenges a lot of our assumptions about the civil rights movement,” stated Titus. “It puts ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges center stage, it reveals the limitations of many different strategies of protest, and it shines a glaring light on the lengths to which people will go to hold onto power and advantage.”

The result of her research is her book entitled Brown’s Battleground: Students, Segregationists, & the Struggle for Justice in Prince Edward County, Virginia.

According to Ms. Titus, “between the significance of the issues at stake, the long-term impact on children and families, and the particular way the struggle touched almost every resident of the county,” the importance of this story cannot be overstated.

Likewise, she encourages all people to learn more about the Prince Edward story, just as she did.

“I think it’s important for people to appreciate the significance of what this community achieved. By bringing suit against those responsible for the decision to close the schools – and sacrificing so many things to avoid jeopardizing the lawsuit – Prince Edward blacks forced the Supreme Court to confront – and eventually block – a potentially massive shift toward “pay as you go” schooling, thus preserving the ideal of education for all.”

To access the complete interview, click here.

The Robert Russa Moton Museum is a Civil Rights Museum housed in the former R. R. Moton High School. Moton is committed to the preservation and positive interpretation of the history of civil rights in education, specifically as it relates to Prince Edward County and the role its citizens played in America’s struggle to move from a segregated to an integrated society.

“The 2012 MLK Challenge was a huge success!” stated Jen Rentschler, Assistant Director of Volunteer and Service-Learning at Longwood University. “Over 80 students, faculty, and staff participated and assisted with projects with six different agencies. I think it says a lot about our University as a whole that so many would give up a “day off” to give back to their community.”

That morning, the students gathered at the museum in small groups to discuss what motivated them to participate in the MLK Challenge and to learn more about their community service projects. They then left to work with the community.

The students worked with six agencies in the Prince Edward community – Pregnancy Support Center, Clean Virginia Waterways, FACES Food Pantry, New Creations Childcare, Stepping Stones Preschool, and High Bridge Trail.

Upon the conclusion of their day, each of the students returned to Moton to reflect on the day, discussing what they did, why it was important, and what their experiences were.

Patrice Carter, Programs Coordinator for the museum, echoed Ms. Rentscher’s sentiments. “It was great to see college students be so heavily involved in taking on projects in the community and coming together to discuss the importance of community service.”

The Robert Russa Moton Museum is a Civil Rights Museum housed in the former R. R. Moton High School. Moton is committed to the preservation and positive interpretation of the history of civil rights in education, specifically as it relates to Prince Edward County and the role its citizens played in America’s struggle to move from a segregated to an integrated society.

Director Lacy Ward presented Kennedy with a resolution thanking him for his work at the museum.

The event also served as a holiday social for the members of the Prince Edward County community. Approximately 80 guests were in attendance.

During the event, guests had the opportunity to gather in the museum’s newly renovated auditorium for conversation and light fare and shop in the museum’s newly renovated gift shop

Joy Untzinger speaking about the student art project during the reception.

Moton would like to thank everyone who came to the event.

Patrice Carter, Programming Coordinator, sent her own personal thanks to the museum’s guests, stating, “The Moton Museum was very pleased to host a community holiday social and ecstatic at the amount of people who showed up to celebrate the season. Guests of all ages enjoyed great food, drinks, and holiday music in the laid back and warm atmosphere.”

The Robert Russa Moton Museum is a Civil Rights Museum housed in the former R. R. Moton High School. Moton is committed to the preservation and positive interpretation of the history of civil rights in education, specifically as it relates to Prince Edward County and the role its citizens played in America’s struggle to move from a segregated to an integrated society.

Picture courtesy of Arlene Layden Photography

On Thursday, December 15, 2011, the Robert Russa Moton Museum honored Sheriff Harris on the occasion of his retirement.

In recognition of the impact the Prince Edward County school closings had upon Sheriff Harris’ life, Moton Director Lacy Ward, Jr. presented a resolution which read in part:

Sheriff Harris along with more than 4,000 others of his generation – some receiving no formal schooling, some receiving a private education, some leaving home for an education – suffered the prolonged loss of locally supported public schools.

Also honoring Sheriff Harris at the community event were representative of Prince Edward County, the Town of Farmville, the Prince Edward County Branch of the NAACP, the Prince Edward Elks Lodge #269, Randolph Lodge #30, F & AM, the Royal Supremes Gospel Singers, the Piedmont Regional Jail, and the Farmville Police Department.

The evening concluded with remarks and a solo from the honoree. “The highlight of the ceremony was Harris’ rendition of ‘I Won’t Complain.’ The moment spoke to his unique ability to bring the community together.”

The Robert Russa Moton Museum is a Civil Rights Museum housed in the former R. R. Moton High School. Moton is committed to the preservation and positive interpretation of the history of civil rights in education, specifically as it relates to Prince Edward County and the role its citizens played in America’s struggle to move from a segregated to an integrated society.

Upon the conclusion of the award ceremony, Mr. Dellums rose to give his remarks on the importance of being proud of who you are and asserting your right as a citizen. He illustrated this point through three stories.

In his first story, he described a fight that he had at school with another member of his class who called him a “dirty black African.” Upon returning home, he told his mother about his day, proud of beating his opponent. He did not, however, get the response from his mother that he had anticipated. “If you have to fight, you should only have fought because he called you dirty. Not because he called you black, because you are. Not because someone called you African, because you are of African descent. You are a thousand different adjectives. Be proud of who you are.” She used his fight as a way of teaching him to be proud of who he is and not to let others define him. As Mr. Dellums said, she “reinforced the strength of my personhood.”

In his second story, he recounted a quote he heard from Martin Luther King Jr. on the radio that has inspired him for decades. “The most revolutionary act you can engage in is to assert the full measure of your citizenship,” it said. Mr. Dellums stressed the meaning of this quote to the audience – King was urging people everywhere to assert themselves as citizens if they want to see significant change in the world. This quote inspired him to pursue a career in politics and to change the world he saw around him for the better.

Kay Coles James, and Ron Dellums enjoy a tour of the Robert Russa Moton Museum

Mr. Dellums, likewise, urged the audience, particularly the next generation, to do the same – to be proud of oneself and to become a part of the larger conversation in order to initiate change the world.

At the conclusion of the event, Lacy Ward, Jr., director of the Robert Russa Moton Museum, and Dr. Christopher B. Howard, president of Hampden-Syndey College, presented Mr. Dellums with a plaque with an “Our Schools Our Vision” t-shirt to thank him for speaking at the event.

Mr. Dellums said, “I come from a generation that was inspired to just get up and do.” In his speech that day, he inspired the entire audience to do the same.

The 2011 Growing Solutionist Moton Forum was sponsored by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

April 23, 1951 students at the racially segregated R. R. Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia walked out on strike in pursuit of equal educational facilities. The student strike lasted two weeks, and on May 23, 1951 – a mere month later – 117 student plaintiffs and their parents filed Civil Action No. 1333, Davis v. Prince Edward calling for the desegregation of the county’s public schools.

Davis was consolidated with similar cases from Delaware, Kansas, South Caroline, and Washington, DC. Decided under the Kansas case, Brown v. Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court on May 17, 1954 concluded “that in the field of public education, the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place,” thereby declaring racial segregation in America’s public schools unconstitutional.

The children and parents of Davis were honored at Moton in April 2011 – the 60th anniversary of the walkout – with Deaconess Foster on hand to be recognized for her courage in signing her name to the petition allowing her three children; Lottie Celeste Willis, Daisy M. Willis, and Robert A. Willis to challenge racial segregation as practiced in the nation’s public schools.

Mr. Ed Lewis delivering keynote address

Lewis went on to discuss community – what it means, why it is important, and how community spirit is key when changing history. “Ideas may germinate from one or two persons but most often it requires galvanizing the group for success to be realized, as was the case with Barbara Rose Johns,” he said. “In April 1951, my cousin, Barbara Rose Johns, then 16 years old, assembled 450 of her classmates at the Robert Russa Moton High School to protest the unequal quality of education and resources made to students of color because of federally mandated segregation laws. Ultimately, this would become the cause of freedom in education when the struggle n Farmville was enjoined by four other cases that would lead to Brown v. Board of Education and the desegregation of schools.”

It was the community, first within the walls of the Robert Russa Moton High School, then into Prince Edward County, and finally across the county, that helped bring integrated education to the entire nation.

Lewis highlighted the fact the museum that commemorates that momentous event was also born of a joined community effort. “This museum is the result of community effort of diverse groups recognizing a need and joining forces to realize a dream to fruition. It will stand as an example of what can be achieved when differences are secondary to the common good. It symbolized all that America is about: unity in diversity and it will serve to remind us to value our history, to learn from it and to move forward.” The museum is an example as to what can be achieved by a community. His words captured the theme of the evening, Our Community, Our Museum, Our Future, highlighting the important role that community plays in our lives as a source of inspiration, support, and strength. “The very definition [of community] underscores the principle that we do not stand alone, but together, in times of adversity and in times of
celebration,” he said.

Lewis’ speech concluded with a presentation by Ward. To thank Lewis for speaking at the event, Ward presented him with a slate from one of the chalkboards from the Moton High School. It served as a symbol of the importance of remembering the past in order to continue on into the future.

Nearly 400 people joined together for the banquet to celebrate the Prince Edward County community. The event, held at Longwood University, was sold-out. Every table was filled with smiling faces beaming with pride. The event, which was not advertised heavily, was largely successful due to word-of-mouth and table sponsorship from different groups in the community. Ultimately, one fifth of the crowd present had been invited by friends. As Ruth Murphy, president of the Fuqua School, said, “It is truly, as I look out at the crowd, a community event.”

Robert Hamlin welcoming the community

After an invocation by Revered Bernard S. Hill, Sr. of High Rock Baptist Church and the pledge of allegiance led by Murphy, Professor Andrea Verschaeve of Longwood University stood to speak about the Moton Museum’s new initiative – (Y)Our Story. She spoke of the museum’s dedication to telling the Prince Edward story in a manner that accurately represents the community and its history. In order to achieve this, the Moton museum started collecting the memories of those who experienced the strike and the events thereafter to include in the museum. A card was laid at each place at each table to give those in attendance the opportunity to share their story with the museum. Ward echoed the importance of the initiative stating, alternatively, an individual could call or write to the museum to share their story. Regardless of the means, the museum wants to hear everyone’s voice.

Ward, who served as master of ceremonies for the banquet, took time during the program to thank the Vice Mayor of Farmville, A.D. “Chuckie” Reid, for his help in making the event a success. He encouraged the community to come out and attend the event and his efforts proved fruitful. To thank him, Ward presented Reid with gift – a plaque with a table on it as a representation of his contributions to this event, the Robert Russa Moton Museum, and the community.

Cynthia Johnson, Assistant Principal of Prince Edward County High School, introduced Ed Lewis, the keynote speaker for the event. In addition to describing Lewis’ achievements, Johnson made a special point to highlight Lewis’ connection to Prince Edward County – he is Barbara Johns’ first cousin.

As the banquet concluded, one thing was certain – this event was, in every possible way, created by the community for the community to celebrate the community.

On Monday, October 3, 2011, the Commission arrived in Farmville, VA to fulfill the latter of its roles, specifically to commemorate the 50th anniversary of public school closings in Virginia. In 1959, the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors refused to appropriate the funds necessary to run the public school system in the area, affectively shutting down the public schools. The schools did not reopen until 1964 after five years had passed.

To commemorate this struggle, the MLK Jr Commission first visited the Robert Russa Moton Museum, the historic site where the fight for better facilities and ultimately integrated education began. The Commission admired the museum’s renovations and the competition of Phase I of Moton 2011, a permanent exhibition of the Moton story. Many wandered through the school’s old classrooms, some reliving their memories and others picturing what life had been like for the students who attended it. After a self-guided tour of the building, members of the Commission joined one another in the auditorium to watch the film Strike: April 23, 1951 by Tim Reid, a movie reenacting the Moton strike that led to the desegregation of our nation’s schools. Robert Hamlin, President of the Robert Russa Moton Museum, introduced the film and highlighted the importance of the museum, its story, and its message, as well as the completion of Phase I in his introduction.

At the conclusion of the movie, members of the Commission gathered at the steps of the Robert Russa Moton Museum to start a tour of the city of Farmville given by Dr. Larissa Smith Ferguson of Longwood University. The group admired the city and its historic sites, asking questions about each one to learn more about the community. They visited the First Baptist Church, the Beulah African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Fuqua School, the County Courthouse, the site where Farmville High School once stood, and Hampden-Sydney College. Dr. Christopher B. Howard, the 24th President of Hampden-Sydney College, greeted the Commission upon its arrival and spoke to the group about the college’s recent exhibit on Helen Suzman and the college’s commitment to serve as a men’s college that appreciates women’s contributions to society. Barbara Howard, his wife, spoke as well, discussing her own experience growing up during Apartheid and Helen Suzman’s role in bringing an end to the institution. The Commission also met Mark Suzman, Helen Suzman’s great-nephew.

As the tour of Hampden-Sydney came to a close, the members of the Commission traveled to Prince Edward County High School for the final leg of their trip – to a town hall meeting at Longwood University to facilitate a public discussion concerning the history of Massive Resistance, its impact and legacy in the affected locality and the Commonwealth, as well as to solicit ways to promote reconciliation and a common vision for the future. Citizens from throughout Prince Edward County gathered in the high school’s auditorium to discuss what the school closings mean, how it affected their lives, and what can be done in the future.

The event began with a greeting from Russell Dove, chairman of the Prince Edward County School Board; Wade Bartlett, County Administrator of Prince Edward County; Barbara Howard of Hampden-Sydney College; and Lacy Ward, Director of the Robert Russa Moton Museum. Ward, remarking on the huge impact of the Moton strike on our nation, said, “At the heart of the museum is the fact that what these students started in that school room actually rippled through every level of education.” Brian Grogan, director and producer of the documentary They Closed Our Schools, spoke as well and previewed a trailer for the film to the audience.

The event then shifted focus to a panel about the Prince Edward County School closings. Ferguson introduced the topic and the panel speakers the audience – Ms. Dorothy Holcomb, former student and a Robert Russa Moton Museum Board member, and Ms. Eunice Carwile, former student and a faculty member at Hampden-Syndey College.

At the prompting of Dr. Ferguson, Ms. Holcomb and Ms. Carwile first shared their personal experiences during the school closings. In 1959, Ms. Carwile and her family received a letter about the Prince Edward Academy, inviting her and her siblings to attend the school at a cost. The prince, however, proved prohibitive so her family moved to Burkeville, Nottoway County so she and her five siblings could attend school there. Years later, upon returning to Prince Edward County, she learned that there were many farmers’ children who could not leave the county, as their families’ livelihoods were tied to the soil, and who did not get an education as a result of it.

In the same year that Ms. Carwile and her family moved to Nottoway County, Ms. Holcomb’s father informed her that the schools would be closed for the 1959-1960 school year and she began attending schools in the basement of a church. As the years passed and it became evident that the schools would not reopen anytime soon, Ms. Holcomb and her family rented their house in Prospect, Prince Edward County to another family and pretended to live in a house in nearby Appomattox County so the children could attend school there. After the schools reopened in Prince Edward, her family abandoned their house in Prospect, VA and formally moved to Appomattox County. The reason her father gave her was simple. “I’m not going to give them a chance to do that to you again.”

Both women also discussed the emotional impact that the school closings had on them. Ms. Carwile remarked on her feelings of isolation while living in Burkeville. Having grown up in Prince Edward County with a distinctly different culture, Carwile stated that she and her family “never really belonged” in the Burkeville community. The loss created by the removal of the right to go to school was particularly painful for her. “They had taken away something that is distinctly American… and that is a free public education.” Holcomb echoed Carwile’s feelings of loss. “I felt like we were victims in the situation we were involved in. You felt like it was like it was a disservice to everybody involved.” Together they revealed the shared story of Prince Edward County – that the entire community felt the impact of the school closings.

The panel concluded with a question and answer session that allowed the audience members to speak. Much of the session was dominated by questions about the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program, a program that financially supports the efforts of the children-now-adults directly affected by the school closings throughout Virginia to continue their education at every stage. Questions of and proposals for how Prince Edward County might reconcile filled the room as well. Several propositions were discussed and many in the room saw it fit to try to make them a reality, to help those affected by the school closings and contribute to the county’s healing process.

After a day-long trip in Farmville, the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission left with a better understanding of the community’s past and present and optimism for its future.

Mr. Dellums will be honored for his leadership as a U.S. Member of the House of Representatives and mayor of Oakland, California, as well as, his leadership with fighting Apartheid. Mrs. Reid will be honored for her work and leadership in the entertainment industry as an actress, business owner, and model. She will also be recognized for her philanthropic work and vision for The Virginia Scholarship and Youth Development Foundation.

Click this link form more information and to register for this event.

The event opened with a welcome by Robert Hamlin, President of the Moton Museum. “We thank you for coming out and sharing this day with us,” he said. “It is such an important story, not only for Prince Edward County or the town of Farmville but for the entire nation.”

The celebration continued with an invocation from the Reverend William Thompson, Chaplain Emeritus of Hampden-Sydney College, in which he described the Moton Museum as “holy ground” and urged the audience to treat it as such. This was followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Cynthia Johnson, Assistant Principal of Prince Edward County High School, and Larissa Smith Fergeson, Assistant Professor at Longwood University. Jewel Moore, a ninth grade student at the Fuqua School, sang a rendition of America the Beautiful. The passion and clarity with which Moore sang encapsulated the pride held by all in the county’s role in bringing civil rights to education and in the modern day efforts to commemorate that contribution. With the inclusion of individuals from Hampden-Sydney College, Longwood University, Prince Edward County Public Schools, and the Fuqua School, this truly became an event celebrating the educational community of Prince Edward County.

Paul Hoffman of the office of Representative Robert Hurt of the 5th District of Virginia brought Congressman Hurt’s greetings to all those in attendance, pronouncing, “The Moton Museum preserves this important moment in our civil rights history and reminds us all of our continued commitment to our nation’s founding principles of freedom and equal opportunity to all.” Senator Mark Warner sent a similar sentiment through Patrice Lewis, his outreach representative, stating, “The Robert Russa Moton Museum provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the history of civil rights in education in Prince Edward County and the role its citizens played in America’s struggle to move from a segregated to an integrated society. You are to be commended for helping preserve our civil rights history.”

Ellen Davis, State Director of the USDA – Rural Development, sent her own greetings to the crowd, praising the museum for its message and commenting on the far reaching effects of the school closings in Prince Edward County. “The impact of the event that occurred in the ’50s will continue to ripple and effect people’s lives,” she said. Shaun Rai, Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer for Virginia Community Capital, spoke of its dual role in the community – one of historic preservation and economic activity. Cynthia Balderson, Philanthropy Manager of the Dominion Foundation, gave the final remarks, highlighting the importance of teaching the story of the 1951 strike to the next generation to gain a better appreciation of where the country is now.

Together, each of the speakers made clear the important place that Moton holds in the history of Prince Edward County and our nation as a whole.

As the remarks came to a close, the curtains on the auditorium stage parted to allow the crowd to preview the film Strike: April 23, 1951 by Tim Reid, a movie reenacting the famous student strike that led to the desegregation of our nation’s schools. The film was met with applause from the crowd at its conclusion.

Lacy Ward, Jr. with Shaun Rai (right), Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer with Virginia Community Capital

Extolling the success of Phase I and the progress made in creating the museum, Hamlin remarked, “It is certainly gratifying to get to this level, to see we’re reaching our goal, and that this dream is coming to fruition. Three years ago, it was just a dream and now we can see a light at the end of the tunnel.”