Pictured: Esmont High School Class Poem

Digital Archive

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Go Beyond Esmont.

Explore African American History in Central Virginia

Notable Locations

Moton Museum

The Moton Museum tells the story of the African American students in Prince Edward County who played an integral role in Civil Rights history.

Dunbar Schoolhouse

Dunbar Schoolhouse, located in Fluvanna County, is a Rosenwald School build during the Jim Crow era to educate African American students. It is currently being renovated.


  • The Path to Historic Landmark Status

    Building on existing work, a Preliminary Information Form (PIF) has been submitted to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources' (DHR) internal evaluation committee. This is the crucial first step toward recommending the property for inclusion on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

    Update from Dr. Lisa Goff

    Dr. Lisa Goff of the University of Virginia provides the following update on the PIF's progress:

    “Based on the PIF submitted earlier this year, the evaluation committee of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) has determined that Sand Road Baptist Church is eligible for historic recognition in several categories of significance. They wrote that the church is: "eligible at the local level of significance with a period of significance of c. 1910 through 1975 (approximate construction date through the 50-year cut off point since the church remained in use and as a beacon in the community through at least that time). It is eligible under Criterion A for Social History; Ethnic Heritage: African American; and Criterion C for Architecture." This does not confer an historic designation, rather it states that the evaluation committee believes it to be eligible for landmark status under the categories noted. The next step is to make a formal application for landmark status to the DHR.” — June 26, 2025

    This determination of eligibility is a significant milestone, confirming the church's historical importance and paving the way for the formal application process.

Noah Duell & Dr. Lisa Goff | University of Virginia

Sand Road Baptist Church

Established in 1910, Sand Road Baptist Church is one of Esmont’s historic Black churches still active today.

Documented in collaboration with Noah Duell as a part of a greater initiative to preserve significant historical structures of Southern Albemarle, this online exhibit features detailed scans, photographs, and 3D drawings that highlight Sand Road’s distinctive architectural features- both inside and out.