The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has voted to change the name of the Lee District due to concerns about the name's connection to racism and slavery.
The new name of the Lee District is the Franconia District. Franconia (formerly Lee) District Supervisor Rodney Lusk started the renaming process, including multiple community meetings, in March. Tuesday, he thanked his residents for their support in the effort. Most residents in the area supported the name change.
“Today’s action is an important statement about our values as a community,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “We can’t change our history, but we can decide what in our history is worth celebrating and what is worth learning from to always do better. Franconia is a recognizable, richly diverse area, an area I have been proud to have lived in my entire life. This new name ensures our county continues to be a welcoming community to all people."
Fairfax County Public Schools had changed the name of Robert E. Lee High School to John R. Lewis High School in 2020. While there is no absolutely definitive proof that Lee District is named after Robert E. Lee, a Confederate general, the name's connection to slavery in the past was enough to spur the discussion.
The change is effective immediately, but it may take some time to change signage on buildings, such as the Lee District RECenter on Telegraph Road.
