Briarfield in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Once Hampton Institute's Farm
Sharing the Bounty
— Explore Hampton 2010: From the Sea to the Stars —
Granger Court East is newer than its next-door neighbor, Aberdeen Gardens, but the two have a common ancestor. Hampton University, or Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, as it was then called, planted the seeds of both communities. The story goes back to the Great Depression and a New Deal program to resettle families living in substandard housing. At the government's request, Hampton Institute President Arthur Howe wrote the proposal that won approval of a grant to build Aberdeen Gardens. In 1942, the school established an agricultural and horticultural training center on adjoining land.
There was another similarity. Most of the families at Aberdeen Gardens raised their own vegetables in backyard gardens, and many had chicken coops. At the same time, agriculture students at Hampton Institute learned the basics of farming in preparation for careers as county agents, agricultural scientists and teachers. The farm manager, William Finnley, his wife, Wilhelmina, and their family tended their own garden and shared its bounty with neighborhood children who visited the farm after school. With their parents' permission, the children observed cows being milked and animals being birthed. In the mid 1950s, the land was sold and developed as Granger Court East.
Erected 2010 by Hampton
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Education • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.
Location. 37° 1.956′ N, 76° 24.511′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Briarfield. Marker is on North Mary Peake Boulevard, 0.3 miles south of West Walker Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55 N Mary Peake Blvd, Hampton VA 23666, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Aberdeen Elementary School (a few steps from this marker); The Todd Farmhouse (a few steps from this marker); The Original Cooperative Center (a few steps from this marker); The Beginnings of Aberdeen Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); Aberdeen Gardens (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tucker's Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Deaf and Blind School (approx. 2.2 miles away); George W. Carver High School (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
