Walking through the halls of Gunston, Quander, Springbank, and new building everyday, have you ever wondered why they are named the way they are named? Nearly all of the building’s names have historical significance. The “new” building doesn’t have a historical identity yet.
“I like the tradition of the names… and want to follow that of having a meaningful name,” Mrs. Jessica Statz, principal, said.
The name Quander appears quite often around the area: the road our school is on, our main building, and the school down the road. The name Quander comes from the Quander family.
The Quander family was the first documented African American family in the United States. A man from the family, Eyga, was kidnapped from Ghana and taken to the United States to become a slave. When the slave owners asked for his name, they tried to transcribe, but they believed they had heard Quando.
Amkwandoh went on to have two sons, both taken from him to become slaves. One was sent to Maryland, and the other son was sent to Virginia. The son sent to Virginia became a slave for George Washington.
Springbank was an area of land created by Charles Quander, a former slave of George Washington. The area was between Alexandria and Gum Springs. Purchased with the little money Quander had, the 88 acre community became a workplace for African Americans after being freed from slavery. They had about 20 homes on the lot, and the whole community became a tight knit group.
Charles Quander came from the Quander family, the first documented African American family in the United States. He married Nancy Quander, after being emancipated from George Washington. They later had 3 children, Gracy, Elizabeth, and Osmond.
The Gunston building is the oldest building on campus. The Gunston building is the 100s, the academy, and the gym.
The name Guston comes from an old family name dated back to 1186. The Gustons were an old English family from Cheshire that came to Virginia in 1600, and built their home nearby. Gunston Hall is a famous institute that dates back to 1755 when it was built. George Mason lived in Gunston Hall, back then it was a small Georgian style home. Today it is a historical site that people can visit. The Gunston name influenced many buildings and organizations near West Potomac.
Due to overpopulation, West Po expanded its footprint, and the new building opened at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Since the new addition to the new building, the school is no longer an open campus and students are no longer allowed to go outside or to exit the campus during passing periods.
The construction started about two years ago. Seeking a new name for the new building. Although the new building is a good name, we can’t settle for a name that the campus during passing periods.
History is always going to be a part of West Potomac. The Quanders, the Gunstons, and the community of Springbank will be here.
What will the new building be called? Do you have ideas?