1959's triumph: 'Charlottesville 12' get pair of plaques

By Hawes Spencer |
Published online 4:55pm Friday Nov 18th, 2011
and in print issue #1047 dated Thursday Nov 24th, 2011

The "Charlottesville 12," the African-American boys and girls– now men and women– who boldly strolled into Venable Elementary School and Lane High School 52 years ago to break down the walls of segregation, finally got to see their struggle commemorated with  a pair of permanent historic markers. The signs were dedicated Friday, November 18 on the grounds of the two schools, one of which is now the Albemarle County Office Building.

"That's the most amazing thing," said John Martin, in a post-ceremony interview as he gestured toward the steel marker on the grounds of what had been Lane High School. "I would have never dreamed it."

Martin, who now lives in Richmond, told the story of what it was like to be a 14-year-old on the front lines of integration in a 2004 Hook cover story.

The commemorations include another chance to meet the Charlottesville 12, an 11am Saturday, November 19 event in the Venable auditorium.
Read more on: desegregationracial integration

9 comments

freelove freida November 18th, 2011 | 5:55pm

Hawes, that last sentence is begging for a verb.

hawes November 18th, 2011 | 6:26pm

Good idea. Gracias.--hawes

Barbara Myer November 18th, 2011 | 6:38pm

If this happened in 1959, it's only 52 years ago.

I'm the same vintage: I think I'd notice an extra decade.

Lloyd Snook November 18th, 2011 | 8:29pm

Is the event Saturday Nov. 19? Or Friday, Nov. 18?

hawes November 18th, 2011 | 9:43pm

Sorry, I put this up so hastily that I had all kinds of unclarities. Hope it's all fixed now!--hawes

NancyDrew November 18th, 2011 | 9:46pm

This is an excellent source of information for anyone wishing to know more about this period of Charlottesville history and the players involved.

The Bus Stops Here: A Study of School Desegregation in Three Cities
by Anna Holden

mya November 21st, 2011 | 1:20pm

Thanks for your coverage. Friday was Nov 11 though, not 12.

hawes November 21st, 2011 | 1:56pm

Actually, 'twas friday the 18th of November. I wrote five stories that Friday. Although that's no excuse, I hope it explains my myriad errors in jotting these very few sentences. Thanks for all the help, readers, in getting it straight!--hawes

hook reader November 26th, 2011 | 5:22pm

God i love hometown history! Remember this is after the schools here re-opened since they were closed down locally after integration became law.