Seminary Hill in Lynchburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Ota Benga

(ca. 1885-1916)

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 14, 2021

1. Ota Benga Marker

Inscription. Mbye Otabenga, later known as Ota Benga, was born in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1904 the Rev. Samuel P. Verner, adventurer and former Presbyterian missionary, brought Benga and eight other Congolese purported to be "Pygmies" to be displayed at the St. Louis World's Fair. Two years later the Bronx Zoo in New York exhibited Benga in its "Monkey House" alongside an orangutan. Outraged African American ministers secured his release from the zoo and placed him in an orphanage in Brooklyn. In 1910 Benga was brought to Lynchburg to attend the Virginia Theological Seminary and College. Despondent over his inability to return to Africa, he committed suicide in 1916.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-6-39.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Notable Events • Religion & Religious Structures. 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 1904.

Location. 37° 23.682′ N,

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79° 9.107′ W. Marker is in Lynchburg, Virginia. It is in Seminary Hill. It is on Dewitt Street just south of Garfield Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2202 Garfield Ave, Lynchburg VA, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in 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: John Chilembwe (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia University of Lynchburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Gregory Willis Hayes (within shouting distance of this marker); Desmond Thomas Doss (approx. 0.3 miles away); Professor Frank Trigg (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dr. Robert Walter Johnson House and Tennis Court

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 14, 2021

2. Ota Benga Marker

(approx. 0.6 miles away); Dr. Robert Walter Johnson (approx. 0.6 miles away); Site of Dr. Johnson's Tennis Court (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lynchburg.

Additional commentary.
1. Otabenga's Heritage
Otabenga very likely would not have identified as an African American, considering he was from Africa and was looking to return home. However, this marker has the category checked since African Americans spoke up for his civil rights and he attended an HBCU.

— Submitted August 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Additional keywords. human trafficking; exploitation; human rights violations

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 711 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.