In this episode of History Before Us, we visit the historic Lylburn Downing School in Lexington, Virginia, and explore the Black community of Diamond Hill.

We uncover the school’s role in educating African American students during segregation, its connection to a community shaped by freedmen and their descendants, and the ongoing preservation work keeping these stories alive.

A local descendant and Rockbridge County historian helps us understand why this place still matters today.

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