Upcoming Historical Markers A Product Of Springfield Student Club

SPRINGFIELD, VA — When Gov. Ralph Northam's administration chose three new state historical highway markers suggested by Kings Glen Elementary students in Springfield, it was a testament to the students' research.

Five new Virginia historical highway markers were announced by Northam in April as part of the 2021 Black History Month Historical Marker Contest. The three winning nominations from the Kings Glen students were for Mary Elizabeth Bowser, Dangerfield and Harriet Newby, and Dr. Edwin B. Henderson.

The nominations were the product of the school's History Hunters and History Makers Club, according to a news release from Fairfax County Public Schools. Maura Keaney, the school's technology specialist, founded the club for fourth, fifth and sixth graders and sought to shed light on historical figures that have been overlooked or misrepresented.

The club met virtually during COVID-19 to uncover overlooked stories from Black history in Virginia. Students researched their cases and wrote their own marker submissions. Nominations for eight individuals were submitted.

"Our little club is an example of the kind of meaningful, deeper learning that has happened in FCPS during COVID," said Keaney. "In fact, due to the fact that elementary schools don’t have late buses for after school clubs, asynchronous Mondays were a unique opportunity to host a cross-grade collaborative student interest club like this. Students who love history were able to connect with each other virtually even when school buildings were closed, and we are hoping to leverage technology next year to be able to continue this kind of learning beyond the school day."

Multiple students were involved in the nomination for Bowser, a woman born enslaved, became a missionary to Liberia and returned to Virginia to ultimately work as a spy for the Union from Richmond during the Civil War. She also served as a teacher at freedmen's schools. The historical marker nomination came from students Larissa Chambers, Sonia Alam, Hailey Solar and Allison McKenzie. The marker will be placed in Richmond.

“I was amazed to learn about the courage of Mary Elizabeth Bowser - a true hero," said Solar, a fourth grader. "By participating in this contest, I didn’t just learn about heroes from history, what I learned was that anything is possible and that I can make history."

The nomination of Henderson came from Sullivan Massaro. Henderson is known as the "Father of Black Basketball" who organized athletic leagues for African Americans and the first rural chapter of the NAACP, and was president of the NAACP Virginia state conference and a DC Public Schools educator. His wife, Mary Ellen Henderson, an educator and civil rights advocate, has a Falls Church middle school named after her. The new historical marker will be located in Falls Church.

"Dr. Henderson spent his whole life trying to make things better not just for African Americans but for all," said Massaro. "He wanted everyone to have equal opportunities to learn, play sports and just live."

The Newbys were nominated by students Sofia Rodriguez, Michael Burgess and Valia Anderson. Dangerfield Newby, born a slave in Virginia and later a free man in Ohio, was killed in John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry as he fought to free his wife, Harriet, and their children from slavery. The historical marker honoring the Newbys will be located in Culpeper County.

"The story of Daingerfield and Harriet Newby meant a lot to me and most students don’t learn about them when they learn about John Brown’s Raid," said Anderson. "They are Virginians who are important in history and it’s sad that so many people have never heard of them. I am proud that I was able to do something to try to change that."

The students and Keaney were recognized for their work during a virtual ceremony with Northam. The governor highlighted Keaney for working with over 95 students during the first two years of the Black History Month Historical Marker Contest.

"Thank you all for taking the time to participate in this contest and for your efforts to educate the public about Black Virginians who have transformed the commonwealth into a more compassionate, culturally rich place to live, work and learn," remarked Northam during the ceremony.

The historical markers are expected to be installed next year. The students hope to make a field trip to see their efforts come to fruition.