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

Virginia Military Institute

A National Historic Landmark

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 15, 2022

1. Virginia Military Institute Marker

At new location

Inscription. The nation's first state military college, VMI was founded in 1839 on the concept of the citizen-soldier. The Corps of Cadets fought as a unit in the 1864 Battle of New Market. Confederate General "Stonewall" Jackson and oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury were among its faculty. George C. Marshall, a 1901 graduate, served as Army Chief of Staff in W.W. II, and later as Secretary of State, devising the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Erected 1989 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number I-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.

Location. 37° 47.387′ N, 79° 26.043′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of Letcher Avenue and North Main Street (U.S. BUS 11), on the right when traveling east on Letcher Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lexington VA 24450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Virginia Military Institute (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Colonel Claudius Crozet (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); VMI World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away); Jackson’s Classroom (about 500 feet away); General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. (about 600 feet away); Virginia Military Institute Historic District (about 600 feet away); Barracks The Virginia Military Institute (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Also see . . .
1. Virginia Military Institute. (Submitted on June 21, 2010.)
2. George C. Marshall - Biography. The official website of the Nobel Prize (Submitted on June 21, 2010.)

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 15, 2022

2. Virginia Military Institute Marker

At new location

Photographed By Dan Fisher, June 20, 2010

3. Virginia Military Institute Marker

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 28, 2011

4. Virginia Military Institute Marker

Virginia Military Institute Barracks image. Click for full size.

National Register of Historic Places

5. Virginia Military Institute Barracks

Virginia Military Institute New Market Ceremony image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 15, 2006

6. Virginia Military Institute New Market Ceremony

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 959 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on May 31, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.