Brodnax in Brunswick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd
Lawrenceville, Virginia
| | Brunswick County | |
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010
1. Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd CRIEHT Marker
Though many freed African Americans continued after the Civil War to work the same farms on which they had been slaves, many also left their homes in search of better opportunities elsewhere. Often the sick, elderly and very young were left behind, with no way to care for themselves and thereby placing a burden on local governments. Concerned by the plight of these Americans, Mrs. Pattie Hicks Buford (b. 1836), wife of Judge F.E. Buford, first built The Chapel in the Woods to nurse the increasing number of sick and elderly African Americans in her community. In 1883, she built the Church Home for Aged, Infirm and Disabled Colored People, a full-fledged hospital in Brunswick County. The Mission Rooms Bible House in New York initially sponsored the hospital. A few years later, when it withdrew its support, Mrs. Buford often toured the North, visiting with wealthy and influential friends to raise money for her work. In 1891 the hospital was destroyed by fire, but her supporters contributed enough to rebuild it, as well as the School of the Good Shepherd. Mrs. Buford died in 1901. The orphanage and hospital remained in operation until 1907. The hospital has been renovated and is now an inn; the school and orphanage is still standing next door.
Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 36° 44.757′ N, 77° 52.844′ W. Marker was in Brodnax, Virginia, in Brunswick County. It was on Pleasant Grove Road (County Route 681) 0.3 miles north of Governor Harrison Parkway (U.S. 58), on the right when traveling north. The marker is at the foot of the driveway to Three Angels Inn Bed & Breakfast. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 236 Pleasant Grove Road, Brodnax VA 23920, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Southern Virginia, specifically in the Piedmont, and in Southside Virginia. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd (here, next to this marker); Goronwy Owen (approx. 1.9 miles away); Brunswick County Courthouse (approx. 2.1 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Col. John Jones (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named
Photographed by Larry Gertner, April 27, 2021
2. Church Home for Aged, Infirm, and Disabled Colored People
Virginia Department of Historic Resources website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Other markers no longer nearby. Saint Paul's College (was approx. 2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Brunswick County Confederate Monument (was approx. 2.1 miles away but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. On the left of the panel are two photos with the captions:
"(Above) Hospital of the Good Shepherd, built in 1891, as seen in 1975."
"(Left) The Chapel in the Woods - a church and school built in the 1870s. Sketch c.1880."
On the upper right is a photo of "(Above Right) Mrs. Pattie Hicks Buford, c.1880."
On the lower right is a map of CRIEHT locations.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd".
Also see . . . Newly designed Civil Rights in Education signage unveiled at VSU. ANC News 8 website entry (Submitted on April 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010
3. Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd Marker
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010
4. Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd Marker
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010
5. The Three Angels Inn at Sherwood
The Good Shepherd Hospital has been renovated and converted to a Bed & Breakfast.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,104 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 19, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 19, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
