Glen Allen in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Parsons Community Center
On October 2, 2021, Henrico County rededicated this biulding as the Parsons Community Center.
Richard Parsons was born into slavery at Meadow Farm in 1813. His mother Nancy was purchased by Mosby Sheppard of Meadow Farm in 1809. After 1831, Nancy not mentioned in the Sheppard family accounts again. Nor is there a record of the father of Nancy's children.
Richard remained at Meadow Farm through emancipation. In 1881, Richard earned enough money to purchase property adjacent to the Sheppard farm. On that land, Ricahrd and his wife Mary raised four children, Joseph (c. 1870), Thomas (c. 1872), Cornelius (c. 1875), and Rosa (c. 1875). Thomas Parsons remained with the Sheppard family working for John Sheppard's grandson Sheppard Crump, and his wife Elizabeth Adam. Thomas died in 1939 marking the end of a 120-year connection to Meadow Farm. Their story is told here at the Parsons Community Center.
Erected 2024 by County of Henrico. (Marker Number HM4.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is October 2, 2021.
Location. 37° 40.639′ N, 77° 31.069′ W. Marker is in Glen
this page online
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: A different marker also named Meadow Farm (about 400 feet away); Log Tobacco Barn (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Meadow Farm (approx. 0.3 miles away); Box Car (approx. 0.3 miles away); Courtney Road Service Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Courtney Road Service Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Caboose (approx. half a mile away); Sheppard and Baker's Grant (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glen Allen.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Meadow Farm (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
