Newly curated digital collection of desegregation in Arlington Public Schools contains thousands of records
ProjectDAPS.org to be launched Feb. 25
Call for community donations and oral histories
The story of public school desegregation in Virginia is now richly documented and made accessible by the County that led the way.
On Feb. 25, Arlington Public Library launches a unique online exhibition and searchable database – built from thousands of photos, documents and recordings – surrounding the legal and moral battles that culminated with four courageous African American students taking their seats on Feb. 2, 1959 at Arlington’s Stratford Junior High School.
Arlington’s Stratford Junior High School was desegregated on Feb. 2, 1959. Center for Local History, Arlington Public Library
“Project DAPS” (Desegregation of Arlington Public Schools) is culled from the holdings of the Library’s Community Archives in the Center for Local History at Central Library. Many items were only recently digitized. The project explores the full historic narrative, starting with Arlington’s rapid growth of the 1940s.
In 2016, the Stratford school property was declared a local historic district. Library Director Diane Kresh says the timing was perfect for creating a “complementary and comprehensive digital collection to tell the story of this signal milestone in our rich community history.”
Because there are always more layers of history to find and examine, the Center for Local History continually seeks community donations and oral histories, particularly as they relate to desegregation following the historic day at Stratford. If you have something to donate, contact the Center at 703-228-5966 or localhistory@arlingtonva.us.
This digital access project was completed using new FY2017 funding in the Department of Libraries budget dedicated to increasing public access to government records and archival materials.
The Center for Local History at Arlington Public Library is committed to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of Arlington County. To learn more about the Center for Local History, visit library.arlingtonva.us/center-for-local-history.