Pasture Point in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Federation of Colored Women's Clubs
Janie Porter Barrett
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Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 21, 2026
1. Federation of Colored Women's Clubs Marker
This is the site of the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, founded by Janie Porter Barrett in 1908 at Bethel AME Church in Hampton. She served as its first president until 1932. The association was an umbrella for club activity throughout the state, which Barrett urged to participate in the National Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. Each club was committed to at least one social service project annually for the community, city, state, or an individual. The State Federation emphasized voter registration, Negro history, and other areas of vital importance to family life, and conducted statewide leadership workshops in such areas yearly. College scholarships were awarded to outstanding deserving high school graduates.
Barrett, born in 1865 and raised in Athens, Georgia, graduated from Hampton Institute. She married fellow graduate and community leader Harris Barrett. They built on their property one of the first African American settlement homes in America, the Locust Street Social Settlement, which provided social services, classes in domestic skills, and recreation for the indigent.
In rescuing black children from jails, Barrett personally petitioned judges to release them into her custody. Often they stayed in her home, or she placed them in the Weaver Orphan Home, an important
this page online
Erected by Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 37° 1.857′ N, 76° 20.594′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Pasture Point. It is on Eaton Street north of East Pembroke Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 123 East Pembroke Avenue, Hampton VA 23669, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Peninsula and in Coastal Virginia. 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: Virginia State Federation of Colored Womens Clubs (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Smith Kelsey Peake (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mary Peake (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Hampton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pasture Point
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 21, 2026
2. Federation of Colored Women's Clubs Marker
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 21, 2026
3. Federation of Colored Women's Clubs Headquarters
This house at 123 E Pembroke Ave. is the Federation's last headquarters. The marker is between the house and the street (Eaton Street) to the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
