Mary E. Branch Heritage Center

The Mary E. Branch Elementary School served as an essential site of education and community building for African American students in Prince Edward County for decades. In 1959, when the Prince Edward County School Board chose to defund the public schools rather than integrate them, Mary E. Branch Elementary School was among the schools shuttered to students for five years. 

Today, the Mary E. Branch Elementary School building is in a state of serious disrepair. There is urgent need to stabilize and renovate the building while it can still be saved. Although we are actively applying for grants, the Heritage Center is in need of financial support from the community also. All donations are tax deductible. 

Today, members of the Mary E. Branch Heritage Center are the owners and stewards of the Mary E. Branch Elementary School building. Our vision for the Mary E Branch Heritage Center is for the building to serve as a central facility for programs to enhance the quality of life for low and moderate income families in Prince Edward County through providing a wide range of youth and family support services.