CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – WDBJ is celebrating Black History Month by highlighting the impactful stories of individuals, organizations and institutions in our Hometowns. The former Christiansburg Institute’s history continues being shared throughout Montgomery County.
Founded in 1866, the Christiansburg Institute provided education to freed slaves. During the era of segregation, it became the first high school for African Americans in Montgomery County.
“We were a really good equipped high school. We had a little bit of everything, from how to sew, how to cook, how to do hair. It was always like a college campus more than a high school,” Former Student of Christiansburg Institute, Ester Sullivan.
The Christiansburg Institute campus had grown to span 185 acres and included 14 buildings, serving more than 200 students. Some of whom were housed on campus. After 100 years, the school closed in 1966 as local schools began to integrate. Its rich history remains told at the Christiansburg Institute Museum and Archives as well as at Christiansburg High School.
“We had great teachers growing up. I was really hurt when we had to close it but at least it’s still going, and I appreciate that,” said Sullivan.
The school served African American students from 15 counties. Growing up in Shawsville, Sullivan remembers the day she had to separate from her white neighborhood friends to attend the institute.
“The little boy said to me. My nickname is Teeny. He said Teeny, are you ready to ride the school bus with me in the morning? I said, no, I won’t be able to ride the school bus with you in the morning. He said why? So, I said I can’t go to the same school you go to. He was disappointed. You know we grew up and played together. We didn’t know any difference. My sister and I were the only two Black children where we were living, and we got along fine like sisters and brothers,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan graduated in 1957 and recalls the various after-school activities and education opportunities the school offered. However, there was still some mischief among the students.
“When we built the new gym. I can’t remember what year it was. But we would sneak out of class and go to the gym and get on the trampoline, play basketball, whatever. Also, one of my cousins and his close friend, (WDBJ7s) Neesey Payne’s uncle, would go in my locker and steal my cake. Because they knew my aunt made cake for lunch all the time. They would go into my locker and get my cake out of my lunch. But it was a lot of fun,” said Sullivan.
After graduating, Sullivan worked in the institute’s cafeteria for a year before marrying and starting a family in the same county. She now passes cherished memories from her time at the Christiansburg Institute down to her daughter and other family members.
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