Ruth Pope

Photo courtesy: Albert W. Durant Collection, Visual Resources, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library,
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, "Bruton Heights School Faculty"

Mrs. Ruth Pope provided these reflections as part of the Oral History Community Nights hosted by Colonial Williamsburg during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The clips are excerpts from The Freedom Years, one of several films produced from these oral history nights. The full film can be viewed here.

Film Credit: Media Collections, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation



Mrs. Pope explains how Black teachers had to improvise their teaching and weren't given manuals during segregation.



Mrs. Pope describes her experiences with the students on their school field trips.



Mrs. Pope discusses how Williamsburg took a 'wait and see' approach to integration.



Mrs. Pope reflects on the initial integration of white teachers in Black schools and Black teachers in white schools.



Mrs. Pope discusses the challenges of integrated schools from a teacher's perspective.



Mrs. Pope discusses what was gained from integration.



Mrs. Pope reflects on whether a different approach to integration would have been more successful.




Mrs. Pope describes efforts by the Black community to build a playground for Black children.




Mrs. Pope remembers Rev. Collins as a leader in the Black community.




Mrs. Pope recalls the early days of integration in Williamsburg.




Mrs. Pope reflects on Williamsburg's status as a small town, which may have affected people's willingness to challenge segregation.