Waterford Foundation

The tiny village of Waterford  was an anomaly in Virginia. Settled by Northern Quakers, Waterford was founded on the principals of tolerance and equality. As the town grew, not all of the new landowners shared this worldview. So the town had both a large free black population, some of whom owned property, and enslaved people. The Quaker commitment to education meant there were schools for black children—albeit separate ones—long before most Southern black children had schools. Actually, Waterford had them at a time when it was illegal to teach African Americans to read. It was known as a free town during the Civil War, a reputation that brought enmity from Confederate troops but did not spare it from the harassment of Northern troops. The best time to take this tour is during the hugely popular annual Waterford Fair during the first weekend each October. Three stops along the tour are open to the public: the Second Street School, the John Wesley Church and the Mill.