The Legacy of Brookvale High School
The Legacy of Brookvale High School
36 Primary School Circle
Lancaster VA, 22503
An effort to save a beloved treasure; Brookvale High School, the surviving building for the last high school for Blacks living in Lancaster County, VA is underway. The high school closed after forced integration in 1969, then went through many name and grade level changes, afterwards closing permanently.
Now used basically as a storage unit, it is for sale/lease/rent by the County of Lancaster, VA. It is our sincerest hope that the grounds and buildings will find new life and purpose by regaining the stature it once held in the community; a hub of excellence and achievement for the community she served so faithfully during her prime of 1959-1969.
The Save Brookvale History Committee, with the cooperation of the board of supervisors and administrators of the County of Lancaster, VA, and community liaisons, are working together to organize a May Day which will be held May 17, 2025, on the grounds and in the building of the former Brookvale High School/Brookvale Combined Schools at 36 Primary School Circle, Lancaster, VA 22503.
We plan, as part of the festivities, to include the traditional rivalry of games between Lancaster and Northumberland Counties aka A.T. Wright/Brookvale/Lancaster vs Julius Rosenwald/Central/Northumberland schools.
Also, the committee is in the process of submitting and getting approval for a historical highway maker to ensure the legacy of Brookvale High School. We were selected as an alternate on the first attempt and awaiting approval on the next cycle on Dec. 12, 2024. Hopefully, the dedication for the marker will be the same day as the May Day.
Your support is much needed for the following purpose: the goal of purchasing the land and buildings on the property by forming a 501c3 non-profit organization. It is the goal of the Save Brookvale History Committee to purchase the land and building to establish a resource development center for the Northern Neck region; the counties of Lancaster, Northumberland, Westmoreland, and Richmond County renaming the facilities as The A.T. Wright and Brookvale Community Development Center.
Some Options for Building and Land
- Sustainable kitchen for chefs on the Northern Neck
- Health Care Center
- Computer technology
- Art Studios
- Health and Wellness studios
- Adult education
- Physical therapy
- Museum
- Senior and disability recreation
- Trades and crafts learning center
- Events venue
- Small business spaces
- Food court
- Community gardens
- Continuing Education classes