Near Farmville in Prince Edward County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

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Hampden-Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

— Prince Edward County —

Hampden-Sydney College CRIEHT Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 29, 2010

1. Hampden-Sydney College CRIEHT Marker

Inscription.
Hampden-Sydney College, in continuous operation since November 10, 1775, was established “to form good men and good citizens.” One of the few remaining all-male colleges, it was named for John Hampden (1594-1643) and Algernon Sydney (1622-1683), champions of parliamentary rule in England. Patrick Henry and James Madison were early Trustees, and President William Henry Harrison was a member of the Class of 1791. Student companies were formed in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

During the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, the college did not publicly take sides. Some faculty children attended the all-white private Prince Edward Academy, when all the county’s public schools were closed to stave off integration. Several Hampden-Sydney students were active in teaching children in the Prince Edward Free Schools, which were established for black children during this period.

Without fanfare, the college enrolled its first black student in 1968. African-American faculty members soon followed. Through more than 200 years of strong leadership, Hampden-Sydney College continues to have a strong, active student body and has maintained its reputation for excellent education of men of all origins.

Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail®. (Marker Number

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail, the Former U.S. Presidents: #04 James Madison, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #09 William Henry Harrison series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 10, 1872.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 14.697′ N, 78° 27.615′ W. Marker was near Farmville, Virginia, in Prince Edward County. Marker was on College Road (County Route 692) 0.3 miles south of Five Forks Road (County Route 658), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Hampden Sydney VA 23943, 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 Hampden-Sydney College (here, next to this marker); Hampden-Sydney (a few steps from this marker); About Hampden-Sydney College (within shouting distance of this marker); Everett Stadium (within shouting distance of this marker); Tyrus Raymond Cobb (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); September 11 Memorial

(top) HSC student tutors black child, 1962. (Bottom) White only student body, 1957. image. Click for full size.

2. (top) HSC student tutors black child, 1962. (Bottom) White only student body, 1957.

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farmville.

More about this marker. On the left are two photos with the captions:
"(Top Left) Hampden-Sydney student William Bennett tutors a black child in 1962. Many community members tried to help preserve basic educational opportunities in Prince Edward County while the public schools were closed."
"(Bottom Left) Hampden-Sydney College, like many other public and private colleges of its time, was open only to white students. It opened its doors to students of all races, however, a decade after this picture was taken in 1957. Cushing Hall, built in 1822, is in the background."
In the center is a photo with the caption, "(Above Center) The log cabin of the Hampden-Sydney College Ministerial Association, a student professional club, became a makeshift classroom where faculty wives taught black children. These classes were later suspended, however, as a result of the College’s official policy of neutrality in the schools controversy."
On the right is a photo with the caption, "(Above) U.S.

U.S. Att Gen Bobby Kennedy visits Hampden-Sydney College in 1964. image. Click for full size.

3. U.S. Att Gen Bobby Kennedy visits Hampden-Sydney College in 1964.

Attorney General Bobby Kennedy came to Farmville in September 1964 to view the recently opened Free Schools. While here, he spoke at Hampden-Sydney College and received a portrait of his brother, the late John F. Kennedy, painted by Hampden-Sydney College student Louis Briel. W. Taylor Reveley, president of the College, stands behind the portrait."

All photographs copyright Richmond Times Dispatch - used by permission.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.

Also see . . .
1. Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. Virginia's Retreat (Submitted on May 31, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. Hampden-Sydney College. (Submitted on May 31, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Hampden-Sydney College Marker (new location) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 12, 2012

4. Hampden-Sydney College Marker (new location)

Hampden-Sydney College Marker (original location) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 29, 2010

5. Hampden-Sydney College Marker (original location)

Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail® Map image. Click for full size.

6. Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail® Map

Appomattox County
1. Winonah Camp/Mozella Price Home
2. Carver-Price School
3. Education in 1800's Rural Virginia

Buckingham County
4. One-Room Schoolhouse
5. Carter G. Woodson Birthplace

Cumberland County
6. Hamilton High School
7. Rosenwald School at Cartersville
8. Jackson Davis

Amelia County
9. Russell Grove Presbyterian Church and School
10. Mrs. Samantha Jane Neil

Chesterfield County
11. Virginia State University

Petersburg
12. Earliest Known Public High School for African Americans in Virginia
13. McKenney Library
14. The Peabody-Williams School

Dinwiddie County
15. Southside Virginia Training Center
16. Rocky Branch School
17. Early Education in Dinwiddie County

Nottoway County
18. Blackstone Female Institute
19. Mt. Nebo Church
20. Ingleside Training Institute

Lunenburg County
21. The People's Community Center
22. St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Christian Day School

Prince Edward County
23. Prince Edward County Public Schools
24. R. R. Moton High School
25. Farmville Female Seminary Association
26. First Baptist Church
27. Beulah AME Church
28. Hampden-Sydney College

Charlotte County
29. Southside Virginia Community College - John H. Daniel Campus
30. Charlotte County Library
31. Salem School

Halifax County
32. Meadville Community Center
33. Mary M. Bethune High School
34. Washington-Coleman Elementary School
35. Mizpah Church

Mecklenburg County
36. Thyne Institute
37. Boydton Academic and Bible Institute

Brunswick County
38. Southside Virginia Community College - Christanna Campus
39. Saint Paul's College
40. Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd
41. Fort Christanna

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,232 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on April 15, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on May 31, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.