Pleasant View School
Historic Pleasant View School...
History of Pleasant View School House
Pleasant View School is an early twentieth century African-American schoolhouse located at 18430 River Road in Chesterfield County. It succeeds an earlier school house circa 1900. In 1924, the Chesterfield County School Board purchased two acres of land that included a house previously used as a public school site upon which to construct a new school for African Americans.
Pleasant View School was built with the financial support of the African American community and opened in 1930 and closed in 1947. The Pleasant View Community Association maintained the building and used it as a community center from 1947 until 1998. In response to community concerns about the sale, the County Board of Supervisors re-purchased the property shortly after. Now owned and maintained by the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation, the school features desks, blackboards, church pews, a piano, and other items from the past.
Pleasant View School was built with the financial support of the African American community and opened in 1930 and closed in 1947. The Pleasant View Community Association maintained the building and used it as a community center from 1947 until 1998. In response to community concerns about the sale, the County Board of Supervisors re-purchased the property shortly after. Now owned and maintained by the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation, the school features desks, blackboards, church pews, a piano, and other items from the past.
Open House at Historic Pleasant View African-american school October 14 ~ Noon-4 p.m. ~ 18431 River Road See the flyer for details
Chesterfield Schools Sites
Chesterfield County has many modern schools that reflect the needs of today's students and families. In the past, for many reasons some schools did not warrant the attention of the county government as much as it reflects today and students suffered. But they persevered. Schools like Carver High School and Pleasant View certainly did not garner the needs of their students in years past. We can thank their teachers for doing what they could with limited resources.
Now we need to preserve the histories of the historical schools and tell their stories. The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia has an African American History Committee that is dedicated to the preservation of the county history and could use your donations of school artifacts, photographs, documents and other historical items. You are also invited to join the committee to help in this task. New members are always needed and can provide much needed talent.
Aftrican-American History Committee
African Amercan History Committee
Chairperson: Charlotte Wood
Responsible for promoting the research and appreciation of all aspects of African American history in Chesterfield County. To collect, preserve, interpret and promote the rich history of African Americans for the education and enlightenment of present and future generations. The only group in Chesterfield County devoted to researching African-American history. Your generous tax deductible donation will help fund the ongoing work of this committee and will be greatly appreciated. Pleae join our committee.