(L to R): Mr. Joseph Roane, Miss Ethel Roane, Mt. Clifford Hazzard, Mr. B.V, Hasketh, and Miss Robinson

In 1937, A.T. Johnson High School opened its doors as the first purpose-built secondary school for African American students in the Northern Neck of Virginia. The pioneering faculty included Mr. Joseph Roane, Miss Ethel Roane, Mr. Clifford Hazzard, Mr. B.V. Hasketh, and Miss Robinson—each a beacon of hope in a segregated society. These educators laid the foundation for academic excellence and community pride during an era when access to quality education for Black students was limited and often undervalued. Their leadership helped spark a movement of empowerment and self-determination across generations.

Through our “Footprints” initiative, the A.T. Johnson Museum proudly celebrates alumni who embody the school’s commitment to leadership, service, and scholarship.

• Class of 1937: Charles Bernard Smith, a heroic Tuskegee Airman, helped escort over 200 bombers in WWII without losing a single one to enemy fire.

• Class of 1945: Dr. Eddie Matt Jenkins, a community health advocate and medical leader.

• Class of 1947: Glenwood P. Roane, a trailblazer in law, education, and diplomacy.

• Class of 1968: Marian K. Veney Ashton, who now serves as Executive Director of the A.T. Johnson Museum and champions educational equity.

These individuals reflect how the values instilled at A.T. Johnson created leaders who shaped local, national, and even international change.

September 1970 marked a transformative chapter for A.T. Johnson High School as it transitioned into an integrated junior high and later, a middle school. This evolution mirrored the broader societal shift toward desegregation in American public education. Though integration brought both challenges and opportunities, the legacy of A.T. Johnson as a cornerstone of Black excellence remained unshaken. Its cultural and historical significance was formally recognized in 1998, when it was added to both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places—cementing its legacy in the ongoing struggle for educational equity.

The dream of transforming the former school into a museum began in 1987 with the dedicated efforts of the A.T. Johnson Alumni Association. For over a decade, members worked tirelessly—organizing meetings, preserving artifacts, and securing support—to honor the school’s pivotal role in Black education. On July 8, 2000, their dream became a reality with the grand opening of the A.T. Johnson Museum. This space now serves not only as a historical landmark but as a living testament to the power of memory, education, and community. It ensures that future generations understand and appreciate the sacrifices made for educational justice.

September 1970 marked a transformative chapter for A.T. Johnson High School as it transitioned into an integrated junior high and later, a middle school. This evolution mirrored the broader societal shift toward desegregation in American public education. Though integration brought both challenges and opportunities, the legacy of A.T. Johnson as a cornerstone of Black excellence remained unshaken. Its cultural and historical significance was formally recognized in 1998, when it was added to both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places—cementing its legacy in the ongoing struggle for educational equity.

After decades of shaping lives and transforming futures, A.T. Johnson High School was officially recognized for its impact when it was listed on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. This honor underscored the importance of preserving African American educational history. The listing acknowledged not only the architecture of the building but the generations of students, teachers, and families whose stories were embedded within its walls. The school’s legacy now serves as a symbol of excellence, resistance, and triumph in the face of adversity.