This Found in the Archives highlights the courageous story of Leslie R. Coates, who brought about the desegregation of the Fairfax Courthouse cafeteria.

Poster about the 1960s petition to ban books in Fairfax County

Aetna's suit against Louise disputing payment of insurance benefits.

Transcript of the case.

Photographs submitted as evidence in this case.

The first civil suit Louise brought against Aetna after a jury found her not guilty of the criminal charges.

Court documents from the criminal cases against Louise Carpenter.

Court documents from the criminal case against Mary Carpenter.

Plaintiff Exhibits Sullivan vs. Little Hunting Park

This newspaper article notes the connection to the Scottsboro cases and the Carpenter case.

The Virginia Court system is made up of several courts: General District Courts - District Courts handle cases involving minor criminal and traffic offenses (called misdemeanors), disputes involving tenants and landlords, and civil cases where the dollar amounts at issue are below a certain amount. Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts - The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles cases about children and families. This includes cases involving custody, child support, child abuse, and crimes committed by people under 18 years old. Circuit Courts - Circuit Courts hear cases involving more serious criminal offenses (called felonies), divorce cases, and civil cases involving greater monetary claims. Parties in Circuit Court cases have a right to request a trial by jury. Court of Appeals - Decisions from the Circuit Courts can be appealed to the Court of Appeals, which also hears cases from certain state agencies. The Court of Appeals examines the record of a trial and decides whether the law was applied fairly. Supreme Court of Virginia - The Supreme Court of Virginia reviews the decisions of the lower courts and oversees matters related to the operation of Virginia’s judicial system.

When the Freeman family was denied entrance to the Huntington Park pool, they were about to attend the nearby Hollin Hills swimming pool as paying guests of friends who went to that pool. Since they had to rely on friends, and pay a fee, they did not attend the pool as much as they would have liked to go to the pool.

1950s courtroom in the Historic Fairfax Courthouse. Photograph taken in 2025.

Fairfax County Public School Logo

This newspaper article talks about the three Black jurors during the Carpenter trials.

A quote from the court minute book talking about discrimination due to gender and race.

Fairfax Man Loses Membership in Pool written by Lon Tuck in The Washington Post 9/4/1965. Submitted as plaintiff exhibit #38 in the Sullivan vs. Little Hunting Park Case.

"Fairfax Swim Club Rejects Bid by Negro" written by The Washington Post 7/30/1965 and submitted as Plaintiff exhibit #37 in the Sullivan vs. Little Hunting Park Case.

"Pool Ban on Negroes goes to Fairfax Court "The Evening Star, July 16, 1965. This newspaper clipping was submitted as evidence in the Sullivan vs. Little Hunting Park Case

Case files of Sullivan vs. Little Hunting Park. Click on the image to read all the documents.

Case files of Freeman vs. Little Hunting Park. Click the image to view all case documents.

Draft JLC exhibit panel about the Judiciary

This is a letter from the Aetna Insurance representative to the Carpenter's attorney acknowledging receipt of her claim and explanation for its denial.