
This weekend a state historical marker issued by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources was dedicated that highlights the origins and history of Dry Bridge School (later renamed East Martinsville School), which opened in 1928 to serve African American students during the era of segregation in public education.

“We were all just taught to be one big family of children here at East Martinsville Elementary School,” said former student at East Martinsville School, Bishop Joe N. Gravely Jr told WDBJ.

Martinsville was desegregated in 1968, which is also when the school was closed. On Saturday joined the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to dedicate a brand new historical mark near where the school used to be.

