Ettrick in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Amaza Lee Meredith (1895-1984)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 18, 2019

1. Amaza Lee Meredith (1895-1984) Marker

Inscription. Lynchburg native Amaza Lee Meredith was one of the nation's few African American female architects during the mid-20th century. Her self-designed residence, Azurest South (1939), is a rare Virginia example of a mature International Style building. She also designed houses in New York, Texas, and elsewhere in Virginia. Principally employed as a teacher, Meredith founded the fine arts department at present-day Virginia State University and served as chair until her retirement in 1958. She willed her half of Azurest South to the university alumni association after her death. It was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

Erected 2008 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-338.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Education • Women. 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 1939.

Location. 37° 14.39′ N, 77° 25.054′ W.

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Marker is in Ettrick, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. It is on Carter G Woodson Avenue 0.1 miles south of Mathews Jefferson Drive, on the left when traveling south. Located in front of Alumni Hall on the campus of Virginia State University. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Virginia State University VA 23806, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: Founding of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Virginia State University (approx. 0.3 miles away); Restoration of Vawter Hall

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 18, 2019

2. Amaza Lee Meredith (1895-1984) Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Virginia State University (approx. 0.3 miles away); Restoration of Storum Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ettrick Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); The History of Virginia State University (approx. half a mile away); "The Rocks" (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ettrick.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Virginia State University (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Amaza Lee Meredith. Wikipedia article (Submitted on February 19, 2019.)

2. Azurest South. Wikipedia article about Azurest South (Submitted on May 9, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Additional keywords. LGBT, LGBTQ, 🏳️‍🌈

Azurest South image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2020

3. Azurest South

The is is the home built in the International style of design where Amaza Lee Meredith lived with her partner, Dr. Edna Meade Colson. The building is a short walk from the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2019, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 748 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 19, 2019, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 9, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.