03/08/2026
standing on Their Shoulders
Perched proudly above the City of Staunton, Booker T. Washington High School—affectionately remembered as the "Fortress on the Hill"—stood as a beacon of hope, achievement, and opportunity for African American students from 1936 to 1966. During those three decades, amid the challenges of segregation and the changing tides of American history, more than 800 students, teachers, administrators, custodians, and staff passed through its doors, creating a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
Within its classrooms, science laboratories, industrial arts and home economics rooms, band hall, chorus room, library, and gymnasium, young men and women discovered their talents and prepared themselves for lives of purpose. Booker T. Washington High School produced graduates who distinguished themselves in education, business, entertainment, military service, law, journalism, medicine, athletics, public service, ministry, and entrepreneurship. Their accomplishments stand as lasting testimony to the dedication of the faculty, the strength of their families, and the unwavering support of the community.
The Booker T. experience extended far beyond the school campus. It lived in the vibrant neighborhoods surrounding the school—in the churches where faith sustained the community, the beauty and barber shops where friendships flourished, the locally owned businesses that strengthened Black economic life, and the parks where families gathered in celebration. It echoed along West Beverly Street, where crowds eagerly awaited the high-stepping Golden Eagles Marching Band as it proudly marched in the annual Staunton Christmas Parade, filling the streets with music, pride, and community spirit.
Booker T. Washington High School was more than a place of learning—it was the heart of a community. It nurtured excellence, built character, inspired leadership, and demonstrated that determination and opportunity could overcome the barriers of segregation. The lessons learned within its walls continue to resonate through the lives of its alumni and the generations they inspired.
As the saying reminds us, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Through historic photographs, newspaper accounts, restored images, and carefully researched exhibits, the Standing on Their Shoulders research and development team proudly presents The Booker T. Story—a visual tribute to the people, places, achievements, and enduring legacy of one of Virginia's most remarkable African American schools.
We invite you to look back with pride, celebrate those who came before us, and continue Standing on Their Shoulders.
