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

Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University

— Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, September 12, 2025

1. Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University Marker

Inscription. In 1935 a branch of Richmond's Virginia Union University was opened in two rooms on the second floor of the Hunton Branch YMCA. This was one of the first opportunities that African-Americans in Norfolk had to pursue higher education. Samuel Fischer Scott was the first director, with a faculty of four and a student body of 85. In 1938 Lyman Beecher Brooks became the director, and property was purchased on Bank Street. The school became Norfolk Polytechnic Institute in 1942 and qualified for City assistance.

The State took over the school in 1944 when it became a branch of Virginia State University. The school made an interim move to the St. Vincent's Hospital nurses' home located near here on Wood Street in 1946. It moved again in 1955, with 1,800 students, to its present campus on Corprew Avenue. In 1969 Norfolk State College became an independent four-year institution with a full range of academic programs. Norfolk State achieved university status in 1979 under Dr. Harrison B. Wilson.

Erected by City of Norfolk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 36° 51.068′ N, 76° 16.889′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is at

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the intersection of Wood Street and Church Street, on the right when traveling west on Wood Street. Located at the southwest corner of the Church Street U.S. Post Office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Church Street, Norfolk VA 23504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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: Eureka Lodge, Inc. of Norfolk (here, next to this marker); St. John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Evelyn Thomas Butts (about 800 feet away); Hospital of St. Vincent dePaul (about 800 feet away); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church, Bute Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); AKA Iota Omega (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Also see . . . Norfolk’s Cannonball Trail. (Submitted on September 26, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University Marker (right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, September 12, 2025

2. Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University Marker (right)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.