02/12/2026
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Black History Month | Education in Isle of Wight County: Camptown School
Education on the southern end of Isle of Wight County began in a modest meetinghouse known as “the Hall.” By 1900, a church and school called Camp Mill was operating on land purchased from the Camp Manufacturing Company.
In 1924, Camp Mill was replaced by Camptown School, a two-room Rosenwald School. The building was made possible through a shared investment: community members raised $1,100, the state and county contributed $1,200, and the Rosenwald Fund provided $700. A third classroom was added in 1931.
As enrollment grew, Camptown expanded again: first with a four-room brick structure in 1938, and later with a seven-room school and cafeteria built in 1950 on Council Road. Camptown School closed in 1969 when county schools integrated. While the building no longer stands, its legacy remains an important part of the county’s educational history.
Did you or a family member attend Camptown School? Share your memories in the comments below.
Black History Month | Isle of Wight County Schools
