Bedford in Bedford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Randolph-Macon Academy/Liberty Academy
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 26, 2026
1. Randolph-Macon Academy/Liberty Academy Marker
The trustees of Randolph-Macon College, a Methodist institution in Ashland, opened Randolph-Macon Academy here in 1890. A preparatory school for boys, it attracted local students as well as boarders from other regions of Virginia and beyond. The school closed in 1933 when, facing financial difficulties during the Depression, it was consolidated with the Randolph-Macon Academy at Front Royal. In 1936, Bedford County purchased the property. Liberty Academy, a public and consolidated elementary school, occupied the building until 1964. The large and imposing Romanesque Revival-style structure designed by architect William M. Poindexter of Washington, D.C., was demolished in 1966.
Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-133.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 37° 20.45′ N, 79° 31.791′ W. Marker is in Bedford, Virginia, in Bedford
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest 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: Marilyn Moore Boardman (approx. 0.4 miles away); Avenel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Annie J. Bronson Veterans Memorial Walk (approx. 0.4 miles away); Peaks of Otter Road (approx. half a mile away); Mural of Appreciation (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bedford (approx. 0.6 miles away); 104 N. Bridge Street (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Famed "Bedford Boys" (approx. 0.6 miles away).
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 26, 2026
2. Randolph-Macon Academy/Liberty Academy Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Randolph-Macon Academy (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
