Louise Archer Elementary School
Louise Archer Elementary School is a public elementary school in Vienna, Virginia, United States, and is part of Fairfax County Public Schools. Founded in 1867 as a school for African-American children, it is designated by Fairfax County as an elementary school center for advanced academic programs.
History
The school was originally established in 1867 as the Vienna Colored School, making it the first school for African-American children in Fairfax County. Prior to its founding, African-American children in the area were required to travel daily to Washington D.C. to attend school. In 1939, the school relocated to its current site, which was then a predominantly Black neighborhood.Louise Archer served as the school's principal and taught alongside two other teachers. In addition to her instructional duties, she provided meals for all students. During the early 1940s, the school lacked running water, the only available sources was Salisbury Spring, located approximately one mile away. Male students were tasked with fetching water, while Archer prepared meals on a potbellied stove. The original school building now forms part of the northern section of the campus near the cafeteria.
In 1950, the school was officially renamed Louise Archer Elementary School.
In the late 1960s, Duke Ellington and his trio performed at the school at the invitation of the band teacher at that time, Philmore Hall, who had previously been Ellington's trumpet instructor.