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Before and after the Civil War, education was private with classes held in private schools and private homes. The Peach House at Cliffside, for example served as a private school for the Lewis family.  The first free public school in Albemarle County, Virginia, was started in Scottsville in 1871 and located in the old factory building that later became Miss Hannah Moore's Hall.  Major Smith served as the school's first principal, and he had three assistants, including the vigorous Miss Willie Hickock.  The cousin of "Wild Bill" Hickock of Kansas, Miss Willie was remembered by her students as a good teacher albeit one who freely dispensed corporal punishment with a hickory switch.

About 1876, Scottsville School moved into the brick Brady Building on the southeast corner of Main and Valley Streets.  In 1906, the school moved again, this time to a frame building on Schoolhouse Hill.  In 1913 and under the stewardship of Principal William Day Smith, Scottsville became the first Virginia high school to be placed on the accredited school list by the University of Virginia and the State Department of Education.   In 1917, the Primary School was built on land donated by Captain John L. Pitts at the corner of Bird and Page Streets.  Later this building was occupied by the Scottsville Branch of the Jefferson - Madison Regional Library until it was destroyed by fire in September 1980.  A new Scottsville branch library was built in the same spot in 1982.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, separate schools existed for blacks both in Scottsville and nearby Esmont.  As early as 1909, 'The Loving Charity Lodge' in Esmont served as a private black school for Grades 1-6 and was run by Miss Moore.  The Scottsville Public School for Blacks was located originally in a frame, 2-room building behind the Union Baptist Church on Hardware Street.  Although under-equipped, these schools survived with the necessary community support and provided opportunities for local pride and accomplishment.  In 1964, the Civil Rights Act began the process of equalizing educational opportunities for all students.

What was taught in the schools?  The Virginia School Laws of 1915 specify orthography (spelling), reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, physiology, hygiene, civil government, drawing, history of the United States, and Virginia history.  In teaching physiology and hygiene, approved textbooks shall be used, plainly setting forth the effects of alcohol and other narcotics on the human system, and such effects shall be as fully and thoroughly taught as are other branches of the said last named subjects. Provision shall further be made for moral education in the public schools to be extended throughout the entire course.  Such instruction shall be imparted by reading books and textbooks inculcating the virtues of a pure heart and noble life."

Scottsville School moved one last time in 1925 to the flat at the western end of Main Street.  This handsome brick building housed all grades, from third through high school, until 1967 when it became a junior high and elementary school combined.  In 1968, high school students began attending Albemarle High in Charlottesville.  The Leslie Walton Middle School, located halfway between Scottsville and Charlottesville, opened in 1974.  The new Scottsville Elementary School, just north of town on Route 20, opened in the fall of 1979 for grades K through 5.

Please click on each image for a larger view and more information.

Upper Grades at Scottsville School, 1891

Upper Grades at Scottsville School, 1891 Date:  1891

Image Number:  B81cdB17

Comments:  Pictured in front of the Brady Building at the corner of Main and Valley Streets are the upper grades at Scottsville School in 1891.  See the larger image for student names.

 

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Scottsville School Graded Rooms 3 and 4, 1892

Scottsville School Rooms 3 and 4, 1892 Date:  1892

Image Number:  B75cdB17

Comments:  The Scottsville School's graded Rooms 3 and 4 are seated in front of the Brady Building with their teachers.  See the larger image for student and teacher names.


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School Scene at the Brady Building, Scottsville

Brady Building School Date:  Before 1906

Image Number:  RollOneNeg19A

Comments:  The Brady Building, located at the corner of Main and Valley Streets, served as the first public school in Scottsville from about 1876 to 1906.

 


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A Girls' Basketball Game at Brady School, 1906

A Girls' Basketball Game at Brady School, 1906

Date:  1906

Image Number:  B19cdB13

Comments:   Basketball was a popular sport in Scottsville in 1906 with high school games played out behind Brady School, located on the southeast corner of Main and Valley Streets.  


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Scottsville School Students at Brady School, 1906

Scottsville Students at Brady School, 1906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  December 11, 1906

Image Number:  B570cdB32

Comments:   Shown above are the Scottsville teachers and students attending the Brady School in 1906.   See the larger image for student and teacher names.  


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Scottsville School on the Hill, 1908

Scottsville School on the Hill, 1908

Date:  1908

Image Number:  B32cdB14

Comments:   Scottsville students gather on the front steps of School on the Hill for this photo with their principal, Clarence Campbell.  See the larger image for student and teacher names.



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Students Drill at Scottsville High, 1908

Students Drill at Scottsville High, 1908

Date:  1908

Image Number:  B26cdB14

Comments:   Students at Scottsville High are shown doing their morning exercises on the field on School Hill.


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Students at Scottsville's School on the Hill, 1909

Students at Scottsville's School on the Hill, 1909

Date:  1909

Image Number:  B96cdB17

Comments:   With their principal, Mr. William Day Smith, the 155 students at Scottsville's School on the Hill gathered on the school steps for this Burgess photograph in 1909.  See the larger image for names of these students.



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Elocution Class on School Hill, 1910

Elocution Class on School Hill, 1910

Date:  ca. 1910

Image Number:  Roll13Neg23A

Comments:   Shown here are the Scottsville students in Miss Lucy Powers' Elocution Class on School Hill.  See the larger image for student names.

 
 
 


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Scottsville School Bus, 1910

Scottsville School Bus, 1910

Date:  1910

Image Number:  RollTenNeg3

Comments:  Pictured here is the first school bus in Scottsville that transported students to the class on 'School Hill' just above Valley Street.   See the larger image for names of these students.

 


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Primary School Students, 1917

Primary School Students, 1917

Date:  1917

Image Number:  Roll4Neg13A

Comments:  Pictured are Scottsville students at their new Primary School at the corner of Bird and Page Streets.  Raymon Thacker, future Scottsville Mayor and coauthor of this history, is standing at the left corner of the school's steps.   See the larger image for student names.


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Drilling the Scottsville Home Guard

Drilling the Scottsville Home Guard

Date:  1918

Image Number:  RollTwoNeg4A

Comments:   Rev. Leslie Walton stands in uniform at the left of this photo as he drills Scottsville High School boys in 1918 to be our home guard.


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Scottsville High School Class of 1918

Scottsville High School Class of 1918

Date:  1918

Image Number:  B659cdB40

Comments:   Scottsville High School's Class of 1918 poses for their graduation photo at Scottsville's School on the Hill .  See the larger image for student names.

 
 
 

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William Day Smith, Scottsville Principal

William Day Smith, Scottsville Principal Date:  ca. 1920s

Image Number:  Roll5Neg20A

Comments:  William Day Smith served as principal of Scottsville School for 30 years (1907-1937).  Under his leadership, Scottsville High School became the first Virginia high school accredited by the University of Virginia and the State Department of Education.  William Smith was a beloved classroom teacher and wrote the lyrics to "The Scottsville School Song."

 
 



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Home Economics Class at Scottsville High School

Home Economics Class at Scottsville High School, 1921 Date:  ca. 1921

Image Number:  Roll7Neg3A

Comments:  Scottsville High's home economics class poses with their cooking tools at School on the Hill.  See the larger image for student names.

 
 
 
 



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Scottsville High School's Class of 1922

Scottsville High School's Class of 1922 Date:  1922

Image Number:  PR01cdPR01

Comments:  Scottsville High School's Class of 1922 poses for their graduation photo on the stage at Victory Theater.  See the larger image for student names.



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First Grade at School on the Hill, 1922

First Grade at School on the Hill, 1922 Date:  ca. 1922

Image Number:  B651cdB40

Comments:  Scottsville first grade students pose with their teacher, Miss Ann Brown, on the Primary School steps.  See the larger image for student names.

 
 



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Second Grade at School on the Hill, 1922

Second Grade at School on the Hill, 1922 Date:  ca. 1922

Image Number:  B91cdB17

Comments:  Scottsville second grade students pose with their teacher, Miss Ann Brown, on the Primary School steps.  See the larger image for student names.

 
 
 
 



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Laying the Cornerstone for Scottsville School

Laying the Cornerstone for Scottsville School, 1924 Date:  May 5, 1924

Image Number:  Roll5Neg24A

Comments:  In 1924, Masonic Lodge #45 laid the cornerstone for Scottsville's new school on West Main Street.  See the larger image for additional photos and school information.




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Miss Moore's Class on School Hill

Miss Moore's class on School Hill

Date:  ca. 1925

Image Number:  RollOneNeg7A

Comments:   In 1906, Scottsville School moved to 'School Hill' above Valley Street and behind Victory Theater. The school was a large, double-gabled building with four large rooms on the first floor and an assembly room upstairs. Topped by a bell tower, the school's robust bell could be heard for miles.  See larger image for student names in Miss Moore's class.



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Scottsville High School's Class of 1925

Scottsville High School's Class of 1925 Date:  1925

Image Number:  RM01cdRM01

Comments:  Principal William Day Smith and Scottsville High School's Class of 1925 gather on School Hill for their graduation photo.  See the larger image for student names.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1927

Scottsville High School's Class of 1927 Date:  1927

Image Number:  B212cd22

Comments:  Principal William Day Smith and Scottsville High School's Class of 1927 gather for their graduation photo.  See the larger image for student names.

 
 
 
 
 



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Scottsville High School's Class of 1928

Scottsville High School's Class of 1928 Date:  1928

Image Number:  B94cdB17

Comments:  Posed with Principal William Day Smith are the graduating seniors in Scottsville High School's Class of 1928.  See the larger image for student names.

 
 
 
 
 



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Scottsville High School's Class of 1929

Scottsville High School's Class of 1929 Date:  1929

Image Number:  B211cd22

Comments:  The Scottsville High School Class of 1929 poses for their class photo with Principal William Day Smith.  See the larger image for student names.

 
 
 
 
 



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Scottsville High School's Class of 1930

Scottsville High School's Class of 1930 Date:  1930

Image Number:  B710cdB43

Comments:  The Scottsville High School Class of 1930 poses on the steps for their class photo.   See the larger image for student names.

 
 
 
 
 

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Scottsville Grade School Students, 1930

Scottsville Grade School Students, 1930

 

 

 

 

 



Date:  1930

Image Number:  Sun7Nov1957a

Comments:  Shown above are three grade school students at Scottsville School in 1930.  See the larger image for the photos of these grade school students and more with accompanying student names.

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Fourth and Fifth Grade Classes at Scottsville School, 1931

Fourth and Fifth Grade Classes at Scottsville School, 1931

 

 

 


Date:  1931

Image Number:  Sun7Nov1957b

Comments:  Shown above are five members of the fourth and fifth grades at Scottsville School in 1931.  See the larger image for the photos of the two classes and accompanying student names.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1934

Scottsville High School's Class of 1934 Date:  1934

Image Number:  B08cdB18

Comments:  Scottsville's graduating class of 1934 poses for a group photo in front of Scottsville High School, located at the end of West Main Street.  See the larger image for student names.



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Scottsville School's Fourth Grade, 1940-1941

Scottsville School's Fourth Grade, 1940-1941 Date:  1940-1941

Image Number:  RR03cdRR01

Comments:  Shown at right are three students in the 1940-1941 fourth grade at Scottsville School, which was taught by Margaret Hall Hamilton.  See the larger image for the photos and names of all 29 students in this fourth grade class.

 

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Tin Can Salvage Club, Scottsville High School, 1942

Tin Can Salvage Club, Scottsville High School, 1942 Date:  1942

Image Number:  B11cdB20

Comments:  The Tin Can Salvage Club at Scottsville High School is shown with their advisor and teacher, Mrs. Leslie H. Walton.  In the midst of World War II, this club collected tin cans for processing into tin needed to build Army planes.  See the larger image for names of the students in the Tin Can Salvage Club at Scottsville High School.


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Scottsville High School's Class of 1948

Scottsville High School Senior Class and Officers, 1948 Date:  1948

Image Number:  Scottsville Scotty, 1948

Comments:  The officers of the 1948 Senior Class at Scottsville High School (SHS) are shown above in a scene from the first Scotty yearbook published at SHS.  To learn more about these officers and to see the names and portraits of the 1948 Senior Class, click on this photo to see the larger images.

 




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Scottsville High School's Class of 1951

Scottsville High School Senior Class and Officers, 1951 Date:  May 1951

Image Number:  Scottsville Scotty 1951

Comments:  The officers of the 1951 Senior Class at Scottsville High School are shown above with their class sponsor and teacher, Mr. D. L. Gibbes, Jr.  To learn more about these officers and to see the names and portraits of the 1951 Senior Class, click on this photo to see the larger images.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1952

Scottsville High School Class of 1952













Date:  May 29, 1952

Image Number:  ScottsvilleHS1952CD01

Comments:  The Scottsville High School graduating class held Class Night exercises at their school on 29 May 1952.  To learn more about this class and to see the names and additional portraits of these Seniors, see the larger image.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1953

Scottsville High School Senior Class and Officers, 1953 Date:  May 1953

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty 1953

Comments:  The officers of the 1953 Senior Class at Scottsville High School are shown at left with their class sponsor and mathematics teacher, Mrs. Josephine Magnifico. 

To learn more about these officers and to see the names and portraits of the 1953 Senior Class, click on this photo to see the larger images.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1954

Scottsville High School Class of 1954. Armistead and Bailey Date:  1954

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty 1954

Comments:  Shown at left are William Jackson Armistead and Madeline Elnore Bailey, two members of the 1954 Senior Class at Scottsville High School.  To see the names and additional portraits of this Senior Class, please click on this photo to see the larger image.

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The Hi-Y Club at Scottsville High School, 1954

Hi-Y Club at Scottsville High School, 1954 Date:  1954

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty, 1954

Comments:  The Hi-Y was a national movement in U.S. schools in the 1950's, and boys all over the U.S. strived to accomplish the club's goals, "Clean Speech, Clean Sportsmanship, Clean Scholarship, and Clean Living."  The main objective of the Scottsville High School's Hi-Y club was service.  

To learn more about this club and to see the names of the 1954 club members, please click on this photo and also see a larger image.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1955

Scottsville High School Class of 1955.Rutland and Payne Date:  1955

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty 1955

Comments:  Shown at left are two officers of the 1955 Senior Class at Scottsville High School: (L to R):  President Gordon Rutland and Vice President Barbara Payne.  To see the names and additional portraits of this Senior Class, please click on this photo to see the larger images.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1956

Scottsville High School Class of 1958
Date:  1956

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty, 1956

Comments:  Three of the officers of the Scottsville High School Senior Class in 1956 are shown above:  (L to R)  Curtis Maynard Stinson, President; Callie Vee Johnson, Vice President; and Elizabeth Ann Goodwin, Secretary.  See the larger image for all the portraits of 1956 Senior Class officers and students.

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Janie (Seay) Caldwell, First Grade Teacher at Scottsville School For 36 Years

Janie Seay Caldwell, first grade teacher, 1957 Date:  1957

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty, 1957

Comments:  Janie (Seay) Caldwell grew up in Scottsville and was the daughter of Everette Meade Seay and Martha Virginia (Ranson) Seay.  Janie began her grade school education at old Scottsville School, a two-room school which was located on the lot where the Scottsville Library is currently located.  She graduated from Scottsville High School in 1933 and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in teaching from the State Teachers College in Harrisonburg.  After graduating from college, Janie taught first grade for 36 years and 2nd grade for one year at Scottsville School, retiring in 1972.  To learn more about Mrs. Caldwell's teaching career and many contributions to Scottsville, please click on her photo at right.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1958

Scottsville High School Class of 1958 Date:  1958

Image Number:  SCE005

Comments:  The graduating Senior Class of Scottsville High School in 1958 is shown with their Principal J.W. Boggs.  See the larger image for names of the students of Scottsville's Class of 1958 and for their Senior Class portraits, too.

 

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1959

Scottsville High School Class of 1959













Date:  1959

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty, 1959

Comments:  The graduating Senior Class of Scottsville High School in 1959 is shown above.  See the larger image for names and portraits of the students of Scottsville's Class of 1959 as well as the names of its 1959 Class Officers.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1960

Scottsville High School Class of 1960













Date:  1960

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty, 1960

Comments:  The Officers of the Senior Class of Scottsville High School in 1960 are shown above.  See the larger image for names and portraits of the students of Scottsville's Class of 1960 as well as the names of its 1960 Class Officers.

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Katherine Phillips, A Favorite Scottsville Teacher

Katherine Phillips, A Favorite Scottsville Teacher Date:  ca. 1960

Image Number:  KM209bcdKM09

Comments:  Katherine Phillips taught seventh grade at Scottsville School from about 1935 until she retired in the 1970's.  With her perspective that life need not be a narrow existence, Mrs. Phillips encouraged students to explore their creative interests and stimulated their thinking.  Former students rate Mrs. Phillips among the best teachers they've had at any educational level.  See the larger image to learn more about this favorite teacher of Scottsville.  


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Scottsville High School's Class of 1961

Scottsville High School Class of 1961 Date:  1961

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty, 1961

Comments:  The Officers of the Senior Class of Scottsville High School in 1961 are shown above.  See the larger image for names of these officers and portraits and names of all the students in Scottsville's Class of 1961.

 








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Once Upon a Time, The Old School

Once Upon A Time - The Old School Date:  Dec. 12, 1962

Image Number:  B54BcdB16

Comments:  On December 12, 1962, Miss Susie Blair used this photo of Scottsville's School on the Hill to lead off her history of Scottsville School for use in high school's student handbook.  See the larger image to learn more about the history of Scottsville School as penned by Miss Susie, a lifelong citizen of our town.  


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Scottsville High School's Class of 1963

Scottsville High School Class of 1963 Date:  1963

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty, 1963

Comments:  The Officers of the Senior Class of Scottsville High School in 1963 are shown above.  See the larger image for names of these officers and portraits and names of all the students in Scottsville's Class of 1963.

 









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Scottsville High School's Class of 1964

Scottsville High School Class of 1964 Date:  1964

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty, 1964

Comments:  The Officers of the Senior Class of Scottsville High School in 1964 are shown above.  See the larger image for names of these officers and portraits and names of all the students in Scottsville's Class of 1964.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1965

Scottsville High School Class of 1965 Date:  1965

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty, 1965

Comments:  The Officers of the Senior Class of Scottsville High School in 1965 are shown above.  See the larger image for names of these officers and portraits and names of all the students in Scottsville's Class of 1965.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1966

Scottsville High School Senior Class Officers of 1966 Date:  1966

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty, 1966

Comments:  The Officers of the 1966 Senior Class of Scottsville High School are shown at left.  See the larger image for names of these officers and portraits and names of all the students in Scottsville's Class of 1966.

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Scottsville High School's Class of 1967

Officers of Scottsville High School Class of 1967 Date:  1967

Image Number:  Scottsville HS Scotty, 1967

Comments:  Shown at left are the officers of the 1967 Senior Class at Scottsville High School (SHS).  See the larger images for these officers' names and for the 1967 Senior Class portraits, too.

 


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Mayor Thacker Pays Tribute to Scottsville High School and Its Teachers

Scottsville High SchoolMayor Raymon Thacker











Date:  1967

Image Number:  Roll4Neg22ASHS, RT24cdRT03

Comments:  On 06 June 1967, the Senior Class of Scottsville High School celebrated their graduation from high school at their Commencement.  The next day, Scottsville High School (SHS) was closed, and its remaining students were transferred to Albemarle High School in Charlottesville.  At a dinner meeting held at the closing of SHS on 07 June, Honorable A. Raymon Thacker, Mayor of Scottsville, delivered a wonderful address at a dinner meeting that night to pay honors to the teachers of the school, both past and present.  See the larger images for the text of Mayor Thacker's address on 07 June 1967.


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