South Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

James A. Fields House

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 6, 2021

1. James A. Fields House Marker

Inscription. James A. Fields acquired this late-Victorian Italianate-style brick house in 1893. Fields, born into slavery in Hanover County, escaped in 1862 and became a contraband of war. He graduated in 1871 from what is now Hampton University and taught school. After receiving a law degree from Howard University in 1882, Fields served as the commonwealth’s attorney for Warwick County in 1887 and represented the region in the House of Delegates (1889-1890). After Field’s death in 1903, four doctors acquired the house in 1908 and it functioned as Newport News’ first black hospital. Eventually the hospital became known as Whittaker Memorial Hospital at another site.

Erected 2003 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-77.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 36° 58.984′ N, 76° 25.279′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in South Newport News. It is at the intersection of 27th Street (Virginia Route 143 E

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) and Jefferson Avenue, on the left when traveling east on 27th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport News VA 23607, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Hampton Roads,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named James A. Fields House (here, next to this marker); Gregory Cherry (here, next to this marker); Crusader for Legal Justice (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jessie Menifield Rattley (about 600 feet away); Newport News Pays Tribute (about 600 feet away); Ella Fitzgerald (about 700 feet away); Memorial Design & Concept (about 700 feet away); King Comes to Newport News (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Markers at James A. Fields House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

2. Markers at James A. Fields House

Two markers are located at the James A. Fields House.

James A. Fields House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

3. James A. Fields House

The James A. Fields House is a State of Virginia Landmark and a National Historic Site.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

4. James A. Fields House

This was one of fifteen properties that James Fields owned in Newport News.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

5. James A. Fields House

Plaque on the house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 6, 2021

6. Plaque on the house

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,868 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 7, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 22, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on February 7, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.