395 Broad Street
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Last updated on March 25, 2024
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Directions from the Colonnade to site 12:
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Mary Frances Awkard Fairfax was born on April 2, 1912. When she was young, her father built their family home on Broad Street, where the family lived for many years. Awkard and her siblings attended Effinger Street School, the local African American school in Harrisonburg. History, English, and Latin were among her favorite subjects. After graduation in 1930, Awkard was recruited by the superintendent of Harrisonburg to teach at a black school in New Market, VA. After two years, she pursued a teaching certificate from Virginia State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She received a master’s degree in early childhood education from Columbia University. Awkard came to Lucy F. Simms School in 1942 to teach as a second-grade teacher for 24 years.
Awkard was a remarkable teacher who challenged her students, provided an environment for them to grow, and created opportunities for expression. She is an engaged community member outside the classroom. She was a director and pianist for the school’s choir and her local church and participated in May Day at Lucy F. Simms School. When Harrisonburg schools integrated and Lucy F. Simms School closed, Awkard continued to teach at Waterman Elementary. She taught for more than forty years until her retirement in 1976. Awkward-Fairfax died at 94 on April 22, 2006.
Before her death, Awkard had an interview with Cheryl Metz of Massanutten Central Library. They discussed the time of Harrisonburg’s R4 Urban Renewal projects of the 1960s that affected the Black community. Awkard recalled how she took the check for the property she had received back downtown to city officials. She told them no one was tearing down her father’s house and the property survived urban renewal. The privately owned home still stands on the corner of Broad Street and Gay Street.
Awkard was a remarkable teacher who challenged her students, provided an environment for them to grow, and created opportunities for expression. She is an engaged community member outside the classroom. She was a director and pianist for the school’s choir and her local church and participated in May Day at Lucy F. Simms School. When Harrisonburg schools integrated and Lucy F. Simms School closed, Awkard continued to teach at Waterman Elementary. She taught for more than forty years until her retirement in 1976. Awkward-Fairfax died at 94 on April 22, 2006.
Before her death, Awkard had an interview with Cheryl Metz of Massanutten Central Library. They discussed the time of Harrisonburg’s R4 Urban Renewal projects of the 1960s that affected the Black community. Awkard recalled how she took the check for the property she had received back downtown to city officials. She told them no one was tearing down her father’s house and the property survived urban renewal. The privately owned home still stands on the corner of Broad Street and Gay Street.
