Dinwiddie in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Early Education in Dinwiddie County
Dinwiddie, Virginia
— Dinwiddie County —
Prior to the Civil War, Dinwiddie County was home to several private academies for those who could afford to pay for their education. While it was mostly affluent males who were educated, Pegram’s Academy, Female Academy, Girard Heartwell School for Girls, Oak Forest female School and Col. William Davis’ Girls School were among those that catered to young women. In these schools, young ladies were prepared socially and culturally to enter the world. Meanwhile, education for African-Americans and the poor were delayed until after the Civil War.
It was not until 1870 that public education for blacks and whites was introduced into Dinwiddie County. By 1833, 25 schools out of the school system’s 53 one- and two-room schools were for African-Americans. The number of black elementary schools totaled as many as 40 by the late 1920s. As transportation became available, the schools began consolidating.
In 1899 the John A. Dix Industrial School was established one mile east of this site as the first and only private school for African Americans. Several years later, the Dinwiddie Agricultural and Industrial School was added. In 1908, after being purchased, the school was conveyed to the Board of Education of the African Methodist Zion Church. Shortly afterward, the school once again changed its name and became the Dinwiddie Normal and Industrial Institute. From 1915 to 1949, under the leadership of Professor W.E. Woodyard, the Institute transformed into a day school. By the early 1930s, it began receiving financial assistance from Dinwiddie County, and by 1938, it became the county’s all-black high school. In 1954 the Southside High School, currently Dinwiddie Middle School on U.S. Route 1, was constructed as the new African-American high school for the county and remained as such until 1969 when the schools integrated.
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(Above) Photo taken by Jackson Davis, state agent for African-American rural schools for the Virginia Sate Department of Education from 1910-1915. He took this photo to show the good road condition through Dinwiddie Court House to Dinwiddie High School. The school can be seen in the background on the right.
(Left) This Jackson Davis photo was taken during Patron’s Day exercises at a one-room school for African-Americans c. 1910s.
(Above Right) Professor W.E. Woodyard was the principal of the Dinwiddie Normal and Industrial Institute from 1915 to 1949.
Photos of court house road and one-room school courtesy of The Jackson Davis Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library. Photo of W.E. Woodyard courtesy of Catherine Simmons.
Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail®. (Marker Number 17.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church, and the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 4.652′ N, 77° 35.239′ W. Marker was in Dinwiddie, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of Sycamore Drive and Boydton Plank Road (U.S. 1). This CRIEHT marker is located on the lawn in front of Dinwiddie Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Dinwiddie VA 23841, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Early Education in Dinwiddie County (here, next to this marker); Dinwiddie Court House (here, next to this marker); Dinwiddie Confederate Monument (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Dinwiddie Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); The War of 1812 / Winfield Scott (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Scott's Law Office (about 400 feet away); Dinwiddie Courthouse (about 500 feet away); Vaughan Road (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dinwiddie.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Early Education in Dinwiddie County".
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,830 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 24, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.