Living Legacy ~ Luray, VA

What is the Living Legacy?

Who We Are

Living Legacy is a community nonprofit with a primary focus on underprivileged youth of various backgrounds including poverty, addiction, and abuse. Living Legacy is the umbrella nonprofit that oversees “The Rec”, Historic Andrew Jackson Museum, and Restoration Park.

Our Mission

“Using divine principles, our mission is to provide an environment for recreation, education, holistic health and wellness, restoration and healing, and special events, while building and rejuvenating hope and togetherness within our community.”

What We Do at the “Rec”

We offer after school programming Monday -Friday with programs ranging from:

Life Skills Education (financial education, goal setting, cooking, cleaning)
Mentoring
Community Outings
Community Partnerships
Trauma Support
Arts & Crafts
Video Games
Outdoor recreation (basketball, soccer,
free play, playground)
Gym
Social and Emotional & Prevention Education

Positive Youth Development

Programs directed by Taylor Alger

Build Communication Skills
Build Self Esteem
Develop proper conduct
Personal Development Skills
Intake, Assessments & Creating of Individualized Goal/Support Plans
Providing updates and check ins with parents to discuss youth needs
Organize check ins with school administrators, teachers, case managers, etc.)
Improving communication and networking services to at-risk youth

Outdoor Recreation – Restoration Park

Basketball
Football
Soccer
Kickball
Playground Equipment

Andrew Jackson School Museum

Share the history of our county and community
Historic Rosenwald School
History and Culture of Page County’s black communities and education

Preserving the Past, Creating a Future

The Andrew Jackson School Memorial Marker

Historic Andrew Jackson School Museum

The Andrew Jackson School opened in 1924 for African American students in Luray. It was named after a local Black entrepreneur, Andrew Jackson. It provided education for grades first through seventh, then eventually through eleventh.

The Black community of Luray raised half of the funds for the three-room school building. The other half came from Page County and Rosenwald Fund, a school-building campaign pioneered by Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald.

The Andrew Jackson School offered education through eleventh grade. For students to receive a high school diploma, their families would send them across the state or even out of state to stay with family or friends of the family.

Some went to Bordentown School in New Jersey or Manassas Regional High School in Manassas, VA. The Andrew Jackson School closed in 1959 when the West Luray School (Site 5) opened.

The Historic Andrew Jackson School Museum was started in 2020 to ensure the legacy of the students and teachers who attended the Andrew Jackson School will survive for future generations.

On August 13, 2022, a historical marker was erected and unveiled to the public for the Andrew Jackson School at the former West Luray Recreation Center.