Farmville in Prince Edward County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Four Sororities Founded

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 29, 2010

1. Four Sororities Founded Marker

Inscription. Longwood College, formerly known as the State Female Normal School, is the only U.S. school where four national sororities were founded. Kappa Delta, founded on 23 Oct. 1897, was the first sorority organized in Virginia. The sorority with the longest continuous presence at Longwood College, Sigma Sigma Sigma, was founded on 20 Apr. 1898. Zeta Tau Alpha, established on 15 Oct. 1898, is the only sorority in Virginia to be granted a charter by a special act of the General Assembly. The Prince Edward County Circuit Court granted Alpha Sigma Alpha its charter on 15 Nov. 1901. All four sororities are members of the National Panhellenic Conference, which was organized in 1902.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number I-14.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1898.

Location. 37° 18.093′ N, 78° 23.741′ W. Marker is in Farmville, Virginia, in Prince Edward County. It is at the intersection of High Street (County Route 643) and Buffalo Street, on the right when traveling east on

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High Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Farmville VA 23901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Southside Virginia,

and specifically in Central 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: Farmville Female Seminary Association (here, next to this marker); A New Birth of Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. William W. H. Thackston (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beulah AME Church (about 700 feet away); Main Street / Mayor J. David Crute / EACO Theatre (about 800 feet away); First Baptist Church (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (about 800 feet away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farmville.

Other markers no longer nearby. Farmville Female Seminary Association (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Beulah AME Church (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (was about 800 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. National Panhellenic Conference. (Submitted on May 30, 2010.)
2. Kappa Delta Sorority.

High St (facing east) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 29, 2010

2. High St (facing east)

(Submitted on May 30, 2010.)
3. Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. (Submitted on May 30, 2010.)
4. Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. (Submitted on May 30, 2010.)
5. Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. (Submitted on May 30, 2010.)
6. Longwood University. (Submitted on May 30, 2010.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,117 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.