‘Build one for us’: King George’s custodians honor Ralph Bunche High School’s 75th anniversary

When the King George County Board of Supervisors presented Ralph Bunche Alumni Association President Claudette Jordon with a resolution calling for the 75th On the occasion of its anniversary on Tuesday evening, she remembered other students of this school, which was founded during racial segregation and now stands empty, off U.S. Route 301.

The resolution declared September 2, 2024, as the anniversary of the dedication of Ralph Bunche High School in King George.

But Jordon and the alumni association want more than just recognition. They are also raising funds and asking the county for support for the approximately $10 million Ralph Bunche Visualize and Rize Center – the name of the planned community outreach center once the dilapidated building is renovated and transformed into a gathering place for King George residents.

“We signed a letter of intent with the county that we will raise funds through 2026 to build a museum there. The museum will, of course, tell the story of the road to desegregation in King George County schools,” Jordon said. “We’re trying to find a good venue there.”

Ralph Bunche High School opened for black children on September 2, 1949, after parents sued the county to give them access to an institution equal to that of white students.

The county resolution states that Ralph Bunche was created as a result of Margaret Smith v. School Board of King George County, Virginia, and formed the basis for Richmond Civil Action No. 631, a lawsuit filed in 1946 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Three years later, Ralph Bunche replaced the King George Training School, which had been built in 1916 and was previously called Edgehill Training School. Jordon noted that the training school only offered courses up to 11.th Degree.

“They would rather close the old King George High School than let blacks in,” Jordan said. “Okay, so they build one for us and that’s how we got Ralph Bunche back in 1949.”

A historic marker stands near Ralph Bunche High School on U.S. Route 301 in King George County commemorating the school’s impact on school desegregation. (Photo courtesy of Ralph Bunche Alumni Association)

The school was named after Dr. Ralph Bunche, a civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1950. It operated until desegregation in 1968, and the alumni association was founded in 1975.

The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006, but there has been no activity on the property for many years.

The county received a $500,000 grant from the National Park Service two years ago to replace the roof. Jordon said now that the roof is stable, the next step is to remove mold and asbestos from the interior before beginning a major renovation.

A fundraiser and jazz concert will be held at the site on Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jordon said county officials have said in the past they would support the project, but a new board of supervisors took office in January and she is unsure of the amount of funding it will provide.

“They’re committed,” Jordon said. “I just can’t get them to give us a specific number for funding… It’s a community effort. Really. The school is in (Shiloh District Supervisor) Cathy Binder’s district, and (Board Chair) TC Collins has been very supportive throughout.”

Binder said there had been no recent discussions on the board about financially supporting the project, but she added that it was not ruled out.

“I support preserving Ralph Bunche High School and the legacy of its students,” Binder said. “At this time, there have been no discussions about financial assistance from the county to renovate the school. However, I am open to future discussions.”

The land is owned by the county, and officials have established an advisory committee of King George’s stakeholders to develop a plan to convert the school into a museum and community center.

Jordan said the gym will be the focal point of the renovation and will be able to host gatherings, including musical performances. She said there will also be conference rooms, STEM activities for students, counseling services, potential office space for district staff and certification opportunities for people looking to get into the culinary business. She also hopes an annex building on site can be renovated and used as a training center.

King George native and former NFL offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod donated to the effort and his Visualize and Rize Foundation is part of the name.

“It’s just a wonderful partnership,” Jordon said.

The association held a fundraising gala last year, and Sherman Parker, the first black student to campaign for school desegregation in the county, appeared by video. The gala will be replaced by a jazz concert and festival this year, and Jordon expects a large turnout.

“We can’t go into the school because it’s uninhabitable, but we’re on the grounds,” Jordon said. “It’s beautiful outside and we want to create a carnival-like atmosphere, re-engage the community and let everyone know we’re here and what we’re trying to do.”

For more information about the project, visit rbaa1949.org.

Board adopts two further resolutions

In other county business, the board on Tuesday passed a resolution opposing a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) in Planning District 16, which includes the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, Spotsylvania and Stafford.

The resolution said the RTA, proposed by the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO), would impose several new taxes on county residents, including an additional retail sales tax, a state registration tax, a transient occupancy tax and a new appropriations tax that would “disproportionately” support the more urban areas in the planning district.

“(It) would subject King George County to new taxes, the majority of which would go to the Fredericksburg area to obtain transportation permits,” said Richard Stuart, interim King George County prosecutor and state senator. “So this resolution says the county is opposed to it or, if it passes the General Assembly, would like the option to be exempt.”

Binder said Caroline and Spotsylvania officials introduced similar resolutions expressing their opposition to the RTA during a FAMPO meeting Monday night. Stuart said he expects a bill to be introduced in the General Assembly providing for an RTA for the area and the resolution is a necessary step to inform state officials of the county’s stance.

The board also approved a resolution to “take the necessary steps and engage the necessary persons to acquire the water intake site owned by Birchwood and/or Amazon Data Services” on the Rappahannock River.

Charlie Payne, an attorney with the Hirschler Fleischer law firm representing ADS, said he could not comment on the county’s attempt to purchase the property.

Stuart said it was imperative to acquire the water intake site – which the Free Press reports is owned by Amazon – because the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has given the county a deadline to divest from the aquifer and find another water source to supply residents.

“There’s been discussion among the board members trying to preserve that water intake,” Stuart said. “I’ve done a little research on it, and if you all want me to pursue that path, I think that’s the first resolution you need to pass, and it would direct me to try to preserve that water intake on the river … and engage any other people I need to assist me in that endeavor.”

Binder pointed out that the county tried to buy the property from Birchwood years ago, but its offer was rejected. She said the DEQ gave the county 14 years to divest from the aquifer.

Charlie Payne, a central character in this article, is an attorney for Hirschler Fleischer, a major donor to the Free Press.