In 1959 when Prince Edward County was ordered by a federal judge to integrate its schools, the county opted to shut down the schools rather than comply.

Why did Prince Edward County schools close?

Board of Education (1954) decision was handed down, Virginia state and local officials declared a “massive resistance” to the law. Prince Edward County decided to defund public schools, causing them to close in order to forestay integration.

What steps did Prince Edward County take to avoid integration of schools?

White county leaders in Prince Edward took one of the most dramatic steps in the country to prevent that from happening. Facing a court order to desegregate the public schools, white officials instead voted not to fund them—an option Prince Edward officials had considered for years.