Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Averett University

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 23, 2021

1. Averett University Marker

Inscription. The Virginia General Assembly chartered Union Female College, forerunner of Averett University, in 1859. Supported by the Concord, Dan River, and Roanoke Baptist Associations, the school offered preparatory and collegiate instruction to young women. Classes were held in downtown Danville until 1911, when Main Hall, a Neo-Classical Revival style building, opened here on a new 15-acre campus. At the request of alumnae, the school was renamed in 1917 for the Averett family, eight of whose members served as trustees, presidents, principals, and professors. Averett later became a coeducational, four-year university combining the liberal arts and sciences with professional programs.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-43.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 36° 34.631′ N, 79° 24.758′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on West Main Street (Virginia Route 293) just south of Woodland Drive, on the right when traveling west.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 420 W Main St, Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

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: World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); The A.J. Montague House (approx. ¼ mile away); Andrew Jackson Montague (approx. ¼ mile away); The Cousins-Tulloch House (approx. 0.3 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Camilla Ella Williams (1919–2012) (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 23, 2021

2. Averett University Marker

Averett University image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 2, 2024

3. Averett University

Main Hall

Averett University Portrait image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 10, 2024

4. Averett University Portrait

This portrait of Averett University's Main Hall in the 1950s is displayed in the Danville Mall.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on May 10, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 4. submitted on January 22, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.