On Saturday, October 2, the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services will unveil a new historical marker at James Lee Community Center in Falls Church. The marker commemorates the James Lee Elementary School, which opened at the site of the Community Center in 1948.

The program for the unveiling ceremony includes remarks by Gerry Connolly of the U.S. House of Representatives, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, Fairfax County Chief Equity Officer Karla Bruce, and community members. Several descendants of the Lee family will participate in the unveiling of the marker.

The James Lee Elementary School was built on land purchased in 1866 by African American James Edward Lee (1839-1919), who was born free. In 1945, James Lee’s son sold a portion of the original property to the Fairfax County School Board to build a school for black children. The James Lee Elementary School closed in 1966 when Fairfax County integrated its schools. The original building is now part of the James Lee Community Center.

The unveiling ceremony is open to the public. To find more information and RSVP, visit https://bit.ly/JamesLeeUnveiling.