1920 Parker-Gray Class

Front Row Left to Right: Reverend A.W. Adkins, Henry T. White, Laura Dorsey, Rozier D. Lyles and James E. Howard. Back Left Row: Mayme Anderson, Margaret Young, Florence Murray, Harriet E. Thornton, Susie Madden and Sarah D. Gray

Prior to 1920, a group of concerned African American citizens which included Reverend Samuel B. Ross, Samuel Tucker, Henry Taylor, Blanche Parker Taylor and the alumni from the Hallowell and Snowden Schools pressured the City of Alexandria for a new school building.  By 1920, the African American community had a new school located at Alfred and Wythe Streets.  The school was named after two former principals at Snowden and Hallowell Schools, John F. Parker and Sarah A. Gray.

The First Faculty at Parker-Gray School included one principal and ten teachers in 1920. 

Mr. Henry T. White – Principal – taught 7th grade

Reverend Andrew Warren (A.W.) Adkins – taught 4th and 5th grades

Mrs. Mayme Anderson – taught 5th grade

Miss Laura A.  Dorsey – taught 1st grade

Mrs. Sarah D. Gray – taught 3rd grade

Mr. James E. Howard – taught 3rd grade

Mr. Rozier D. Lyles – taught 6th grade

Mrs. Susie Madden – taught 2nd grade

Mrs. Florence Murray – taught 2nd grade

Mrs. Harriet E. Thornton – taught 5th grade

Mrs. Margaret Young – taught 1st grade

Author: cmb12

FindingthingsforU, LLC is owned/founded by Char McCargo-Bah. She is the author of two books, and you can find those books on amazon.com by putting a search on her name. She became a Living Legend in Alexandria, Virginia, in 2014.

6 thoughts on “1920 Parker-Gray Class”

  1. I am the great granddaughter of Henry T White, my mother attended Parker Gray and her name was Dorothy Louise Malson. I would appreciate any articles and pictures that you have. My mother passed away in December of 2016. If at all possible I can meet you, I live in Maryland. My email address is smitheednac@yahoo.com, thanks

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    1. Thanks. I am in the beginning stages of researching the early period of the Parker-Gray School for a book. I have focused my research on the teachers and principals, so I have little information on the students.

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  2. Dear Char,
    Harriet E. Thornton is my great grandmother’s sister. She is the fourth person from the back left in this 1920 Parker-Gray photo.However, she is listed as Mayme Anderson. In the 1956 photo I sent you at the time of her retirement you can see the likeness. Hopefully, you can make the necessary change for historical accuracy.Thanks for a wonderful, informative website.
    .

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  3. Dear Char,
    I love all the work you are doing and its so great to see so much information in one place. I especially love this picture because I see so many familiar faces. It brings back so many memories and it is a reminder of the strong and dedicated individuals who took the time to educate African American students during difficult times.

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