The Occoquan District Spring 2019 Newsletter is now available! Residents can always pick up extra copies at the Occoquan District Office in Tackett's Mill (2241-K Tackett's Mill Drive).
We received two opinions on the historical article in this edition about Occoquan Elementary School. I felt it was important to include these opinions in this E-news update.
~ Occoquan Supervisor Ruth Anderson
“While we celebrate the history of Occoquan High School, we cannot overlook the shameful past of Prince William County and other communities throughout the South, that required children to attend segregated schools. African American students from Quantico, Triangle, Dumfries, Woodbridge, Hoadly and Occoquan, could not attend Occoquan High School, they attended Manassas Industrial School, a Regional High School for African American students from Prince William, Fairfax and Fauquier."
~ Counties. Curtis O. Porter
“Indicative of Virginia at the time, segregation was the norm, and this school operated as a “white” school. This situation persisted until the Brown vs. Board of Education decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.”
~ Dennis Van Derlaske, PWC Historical Commission