When 92-year-old Alees Coates-Richardson visited Louise Archer Elementary School in Vienna, she encountered a piece of her childhood. An original wall from the historic schoolhouse she once attended was uncovered during a renovation. This wall has been integrated into the school’s new lobby.
Alees and her classmate Gloria Carter, 91, reminisced about their time attending the school when it was known as the Vienna Colored School. “It’s really a great opportunity to come back where we first started,” said Gloria.
The original schoolhouse began as the Vienna Colored School, serving African American children during segregation times. Alees recalled, “We didn’t have a cafeteria [or a] gym. We didn’t have that,” and added that outside was where they would exercise and that restrooms were separate from the main building.
The schoolhouse existed due to efforts by its principal, Louise Reeves Archer, alongside others who advocated for funding. Archer not only was a principal and teacher, instructing grades five to seven but also personally ensured children attended school by providing transportation.
Louise Archer Elementary School now looks different compared to its beginnings. The school, integrated in 1965, now features updated facilities such as a cafeteria and gymnasium. The new lobby holds a mural depicting Archer and memorabilia including a 1946 class photograph.
“Just to see this is amazing,” Alees expressed. Gloria added, “Thank the Good Lord that He’s blessed us to stay here to see it.”
The Fairfax County Public Schools Capital Improvement Program facilitated the renovation through community-approved school bonds, aiming to ensure student success by providing necessary resources.
