Rocky Branch Schoolhouse Project
History
In the early 1900s a group of Dinwiddie County’s African American residents established the Rocky Branch School in Sutherland. On September 5, 1913, Mr. and Mrs. John Walker donated one acre of land to be used as a colored school. The deed was filed in the Clerk’s office of the Dinwiddie Circuit Court on February 25, 1914.
At the June 5, 1928, Dinwiddie County School Board meeting, it was ordered that the school building known as the Sutherland School be purchased from John Thomas for the sum of $250 to be used as a colored school. The original location was across from the Ocran Methodist Church on U.S. Route 460 West, about two miles east of the current site. It would be moved by the patrons of the Rocky Branch School and made part of their current one room schoolhouse. The newly purchased school would be added to the one room school and creating the two-room schoolhouse that stands today.
Back to Basics
Rocky Branch Schoolhouse in the 1930s
Reading, writing and arithmetic were taught in first through seventh grades. Each school day began with a short devotion. Students were required to recite Bible verses and sing patriotic and gospel songs daily.
During the winter, students often had to huddle around the stoves to keep warm during their lessons. Sometimes the teachers would bring soup for the students so they could have a warm meal at lunch.
Transportation was not provided for the school’s students, resulting in many boys and girls walking four or five miles to school each day. Despite this challenge, attendance was always high, and a large percentage of the school’s students continued their education through high school and college.
The school’s wooden floors were oiled with used motor oil to help settle the dust from outside. Water was supplied by a deep well pump located on the right front side of the school, with separate facilities for males and females.
The End of an Era
The school closed in 1963, but the building stands as a symbol
of education to all.” Rocky Branch School Historical Marker (hmdb.org)
In the early 1960’s schools were beginning to consolidate, and the Rocky Branch School was put up for public auction. The trustees of the church at that time were Willie Cone, Willie Jones, Tom Bates, Nathaniel Harris, Jr., Sandy Washington, T. Mack Williams, and Al Johnson.
On July 17, 1963, the County School Board was authorized and directed to sell the interest of the property on which the schoolhouse sat. On August 30, 1963 the property (and schoolhouse) were purchased by RBBC for $1,925.00.
Current state of schoolhouse as of 8/27/2023
For over 100 years the Rocky Branch School served as the educational source for the African American community. After schools integrated, the schoolhouse became an auxiliary of the church. At one point it served as a changing room for baptismal candidates as baptisms were held outside in the inground pool. Later it was used to serve food after special occasions including annual homecoming services. The last known purpose was for the clothes closet that provided free donated clothing to those in the community.
Moving into the Future
(Preserving History)
Today the school is listed on the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. A grant was recently awarded to renovate the building. The revitalization of the building will allow it to continue to be an educational resource to the community.
It has been years in the making to restore the 2-room schoolhouse. A committee was formed to move forward with the process.
Let the Work Begin
On March 10, 2025 the construction met at the schoolhouse to go over the logistics for the project. On March 18th, the team started laying the foundation to stabilize the building.
Above are some of the former students who met with Lena McDonald. She is the Preservation Project Manager for the Commonwealth Preservation Group and is working on the National Nomination Register for the school.
To the left is Jody Lahendra, and he is the Historic Preservation Architect for the schoolhouse project.
