Edwin Washington Project

On Saturday, May 3, 1924, the first Festival was a one-day event. To kick off the celebration, the parade assembled at the old fairgrounds just off Fairmont Avenue and marched through the streets of Winchester to the Royal Pavilion on the grounds of John Handley High School.  Elizabeth Steck (Arthur) was crowned the first Queen Shenandoah by the Prince of Apple Blossoms. Following the Coronation, a program of interpretative dance was presented to entertain the queen, her court, and those in attendance.   Since the beginning, 86 queens have reigned over the Festival. Each Queen Shenandoah has been officially crowned at Handley High School with the exception of Queen Shenandoah LXXIX, Jane Austin Graham, whose coronation was held on May 4, 2007, at Victory Church on Middle Road while the school auditorium was undergoing  renovation.

Because of its popularity and fun, it was also event to w hich students and teachers wished to attend in lieu of attending class, such as in 1928 when the faculty of the Round Hill High School petitioned on 5 April for a half fay holiday to attend the day upon which the queen was to crowned.   In 1928 the outdoor pageants were moved to the steps and esplanade of Handley High School. 

Hugh D. McKee, Helen L. Baber, Gladys Bausell, Louise Ramsburg,  Myrtle M. Baben, Ruth J. Steele, Kate White.

We are not aware of any Black students or teachers being given such permission during the era of segregation.

For more information on the movement, ask the Edwin Washington Project for access to box 15.1.  

 Project HQ is in the Douglass High School Building, 407 E. Market Street, Suite 106, Leesburg, Va 20176.