Louise Archer Elementary to Celebrate 75 Years with Public Open House

Louise Archer Elementary School is inviting members of the community, local businesses, and former and current staff, students, and families to attend a 75th Anniversary Open House celebration on Friday, March 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the school, located at 324 Nutley St. NW in Vienna.

Attendees will experience the rich history of the school as it is transformed into an historical museum, featuring founding artifacts and new displays by current students. In addition to the library “museum,” the free evening of activities will include student-led tours and light refreshments.

“We are very excited to be hosting a 75th anniversary celebration because we have a rich history and long-standing traditions that make our public school a wonderful and unique place to learn,” said Michelle Makrigiorgos, Principal of Louise Archer Elementary. “We want to share this celebration with everyone in our community who has so generously supported our school for more than three quarters of a century.”

In honor of the event, the Louise Archer PTA is also welcoming "$75 for 75" birthday donations. If you are a current or former student, relative, friend, or community member, the PTA invites you to consider making one or more tax-deductible $75 donations to fund two technology-based 75th birthday gifts to the school: 32 laptops for a student mobile lab for use in three to six classrooms and eight SmartBoard projector mounts for the K-3 classrooms. Learn more at http://www.louisearcherpta.org.

A little bit about Louise Archer Elementary School: Mrs. Louise Reeves Archer was the principal of the elementary school for children in Vienna, Virginia from September 1922 until March 1948. For 26 years, she was both principal and teacher of grades five through seven and her life’s work was to provide an education for African-American students in Vienna. She was a highly respected educator who taught the value of discipline, respect, and other important life skills that would serve her students throughout their lives. The school was built on its current site in 1939. It was originally called the Vienna Colored School. After Mrs. Archer’s death on April 1, 1948, the community felt the importance of having a memorial in her honor. A parent letter and accompanying petition was presented to the School Board. The school name was officially changed to Louise Archer Elementary in 1950.