Farmville in Prince Edward County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Farmville Female Seminary Association
Farmville, Virginia
— Prince Edward County —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 4, 2021
Founded on March 5, 1839, as the Farmville Female Seminary Association, Longwood is one of the oldest colleges originally for women in the country. In 1842 the cornerstone was laid for the first true building at the college, known today as Ruffner Hall. The college was fortunate to make it through most of the Civil War unscathed. It wasn't until the last few days of the war, as Confederate Robert E. Lee and his troops retreated form advancing Union forces through Farmville, that a skirmish ensued on High Street. According to one account, "Minie balls fell about the building [Ruffner] — one crashed through a window where several girls were standing, and when they had recovered from their panic, their friends in gray had vanished like the phantom of a dream."
In 1884 the Commonwealth of Virginia acquired the property, renaming it the State Female Normal School at Farmville. With 110 students at that time, the school was the first state-supported institution of higher education for women in Virginia. By 1927, it had a rating as one of the 12 most outstanding state teachers' colleges in the country, and it served as a model for similar colleges across the commonwealth.
In 1949, after several more name changes, the school became Longwood College, named in recognition of the Longwood Estate, site of the current president's residence, Longwood House. In 1972 the first African American graduated from Longwood, and the College went coeducational in 1976. In 2002, the name changed again to Longwood University representing the wide variety of both bachelor's and master's degrees offered in a broad range of majors.
Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. (Marker Number PE3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 5, 1839.
Location. 37° 18.094′ N, 78° 23.742′ W. Marker is in Farmville, Virginia, in Prince Edward County. Marker is on High Street (County Road 643) near Randolph Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 High St, Farmville VA 23901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Four Sororities Founded (here, next to this marker); A New Birth of Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Veterans Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. William W. H. Thackston (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beulah AME Church
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 4, 2021
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 255 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.