The Coal Pit School was started in 1905, and was named after the nearby Springfield Coal Mine.  In those days, schools were segregated, and this was an African American school.  Virginia Randolph, a famous African American educator, ran the two-room schoolhouse for years.  In 1932 the students moved to a wooden school about 5 miles south named Quioccasin School, but that school burned down in 1953.  A new brick school was built across the street at the intersection of Pemberton and Quioccasin Roads. It was called the Vandervall School.  In 1971 it was renamed Pemberton Elementary which is still there today... and it all started with the Coal Pit School.  Today the Coal Pit School is a preschool and has been remodeled. They were actually remodeling it when we made this video! (Trouble viewing the YouTube video? Try Vimeo or direct link).

Did you know that you can use old maps of Henrico to find the coal pits? The first image shows the coal pits on a 1856 map. The second image shows the coal pits on a 1864 map. If you look carefully, you can even see the old mill that used the be by Echo Lake. This is called using primary sources! 


This is a Google map of the Coal Pit School. Click the +/- button in the corner to zoom in or out.



This is a 360 view of the Coal Pit School. Click and drag to take a look around!


HC.1 The student will demonstrate responsible citizenship and develop skills for historical and geographical analysis.

HC.2a The student will examine the influence of physical and cultural geography on Henrico County.

HC.2b The student will analyze, interpret, and demonstrate knowledge of significant historical events and ideas in Henrico County history.

HC.2c The student will demonstrate an understanding of the growth of Henrico County’s economy from 1611 to present day.

HC.2e The student will demonstrate an understanding of the growth of Henrico County’s public school system.