Following the American Civil War, the State of Virginia adopted a new constitution which contained a provision for the creation of a system of “free public schools.”  Many of those first “public schools” were identified by number, not by name.  So it was with School House # 18.  The Schoolhouse #18 building was constructed in 1887 on land donated by the Shackleford family.  Built during the days of segregation, the school housed only white students from 1887 until 1910.  In 1910 the white student population was moved to a new school located on the site of the present day Marshall Community Center.  Occupying #18 after 1910 were the African-American students of that area.  The historic old site remained a school for the African-American population until its closing in 1963 when the student body was relocated to the present day Claude Thompson Elementary School near Rectortown.  School House #18 is on the National Register of Historic Places as a Virginia Historic Landmark.

School House #18 is located adjacent to the Northern Fauquier Community Park.  Park grounds are open from dawn to dusk.  Additional tours can be arranged by calling the Northern Fauquier Community Park at (540) 422-8570.  For more information please watch this video https://youtu.be/Z6x4NFQPFxs