White Marsh in Gloucester County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Robert Russa Moton
Photographed by Laura Troy, October 13, 2007
1. Robert Russa Moton Marker
Robert Russa Moton was born in Amelia County, Virginia, on 26 August 1867, and was educated in a local freemans school and at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University). He served as an administrator at the institute from 1890 to 1915, when he succeeded Booker T. Washington as president of Tuskegee Institute. There Moton led the school to full collegiate accreditation. An advisor to five U.S. presidents and a founder of the Urban League, he retired to Holly Knoll (10 miles northwest) in 1935. Moton died on 31 May 1940. Holly Knoll was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1981.
Erected 1991 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number NW-12.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the National Historic Landmarks, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 31, 1940.
Location. 37° 20.71′ N, 76° 31.349′ W. Marker is in White Marsh, Virginia, in Gloucester County. It is on George Washington Memorial Highway (U.S. 17) south of Hickory Fork Rd, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5153 George Washington Memorial Hwy, Hayes VA 23072, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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Regionally, this marker is on the Middle Peninsula and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. 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: United Negro College Fund (here, next to this marker); Fairfield (approx. Ό mile away); Rosewell (approx. Ό mile away); Warner Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away); Abingdon Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); These Page Family Tombs (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Page Family (approx. 0.9 miles away); Confederate Soldiers Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away).
Other markers no longer nearby. Rosewell and Werowocomoco (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Dr. Walter Reeds Birthplace (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); Governor John Page (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. This Marker also sits with NW-13
Photographed by Laura Troy, October 13, 2007
2. Both Markers
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 7, 2026
3. Robert Russa Moton Birthplace
In Amelia County, this house - known as the Overton-Hillsman House - was the home of Robert Russa Moton's parents when he was born in August 1867. His mother, Emily Brown, had been the enslaved cook for the Hillsman family, and the Hillsmans refused to re-occupy the house after the Battle of Sailor's Creek was fought around it (with the family and slaves sheltering in the cellar) on 6 April 1865. Afterwards, it was occupied by the former slaves of the family, who continued to work the surrounding Hillsman farm. Emily married Booker Moton at this house on Christmas Day 1866 and the couple were still living there when Robert was born the following summer. The house is a central part of the Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park, which offers guided tours of the home by appointment.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 9, 2025
4. Robert Russa Moton's Grave
At Hampton University.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,653 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on April 17, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 14, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on April 17, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
