SACAARS unveiling six new historical markers around Staunton

STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) - The Staunton-Augusta County African American Research Society works to preserve and showcase local African American history.

Following research and fundraising, they have created six historical markers that will be located and unveiled around the city.

Over the next few months, they hope to bring awareness to the local leaders and landmarks that have made an impact on the city. Organizers say these markers will help younger generations know the African American history throughout the area.

“To give our young people history that they might not know. It might not be in the books that they have in school,” Alice Woods, second vice president of the organization, said. “It is a big deal for us.”

The first marker to be unveiled will be for the Effie Ann Johnson nursery.

“She saw a need for a nursery in the area for African American people because at that time, we were in the segregation era. There was no place for people normally, blue-collar workers, to have a place for their children to be,” Sheila Ahmadi, vice president of the organization, added.

The markers will be unveiled on the following days:

• Effie Ann Johnson Nursery - 4/2, 1 p.m. at 415 N. Augusta Street
• Mt. Zion Masonic Lodge #18 - 4/9, 1 p.m. 815 N. Augusta Street
• Kenneth L. Jones Funeral Home - 4/9, 1 p.m. 815 N. Augusta Street
• T.C. Edmunds School - 5/7 12:30 p.m. 1000 West Johnson Street
• D.W. Davis School - 5/7 1 p.m.115 Sunnyside Street
• Allen Chapel AME - 5/21 1 p.m. 936 Sudbury Street

“Once they became educated, went to college, they came back here. They could have gone to many other places, had even more of a prestigious career. They were doctors, lawyers, attorneys but they came back here and made an indelible print to history in this area,” Ahmadi explained.

For more information on the Staunton-Augusta County African American Research Society, click here.

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