Dirt Don't Burn

Learn about how education for African-Americans was handled during segregation. Visit www.edwinwashingtonproject.org

In June, 1867, a “colored” 16 year old boy named Edwin Washington worked in a hotel in Leesburg, Virginia for five dollars a month, plus board, with the “privilege of coming to school” in between errands. Unfortunately, this meant he couldn’t attend school on a regular basis, or at all during court weeks. Still, he went to class whenever he could.

This research project is a monument to Edwin and all of the African-American children and their parents, educators and patrons of that time and through to the end of segregation in Loudoun County in order to honor their bravery and tenacity to learn. The project is done in collaboration with Loudoun County Public Schools, local history clubs, private and government archives and the Black History Committee of the Friends of the Balch Library.

The story title "Dirt Don't Burn" comes from a memo written by a teacher in the early 1950's. The coal and wood for the school stove had run out, so on a plea for more, it was pointed out that Dirt Don't Burn!