Institute in Kanawha County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

West Virginia State University

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 7, 2015

1. West Virginia State University Marker

Inscription. First public black college in state founded in 1891 as West Virginia Colored Institute. In 1927 was first fully accredited black land-grant college in US. In 1915, became West Virginia Collegiate Institute; in 1929, West Virginia State College. Integrated, 1954. Named West Virginia State University, 2004.

Erected 2009 by West Virginia Archives & History.

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, and the West Virginia Archives and History series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 38° 23.009′ N, 81° 45.897′ W. Marker is in Institute, West Virginia, in Kanawha County. Marker is at the intersection of Fairlawn Avenue (West Virginia Route 25) and Marina Street, on the right when traveling east on Fairlawn Avenue. Located in front of Wallace Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5000 Fairlawn Avenue, Institute WV 25112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brian O. Hemphill (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas Winston Cole, Jr. (about 500 feet away); Hazo W. Carter, Jr. (about 500 feet away); William J.L. Wallace

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(about 500 feet away); Harold M. McNeill (about 500 feet away); John W. Davis (about 500 feet away); Byrd Prillerman (about 500 feet away); J. McHenry Jones (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Institute.

More about this marker. This marker replaced a previous marker titled “West Virginia State College” at this location with this text: “ Founded as West Virginia Colored Institute in 1891, renamed West Virginia Collegiate Institute in 1915 and West Virginia State College in 1929. Voluntarily desegregated in 1954. First state public four-year college and U. S. black land-grant college to be fully accredited.”

Also see . . . West Virginia State University. (Submitted on March 13, 2015.)

Additional keywords. West Virginia State College

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 13, 2019

2. West Virginia State University Marker

West Virginia State University Marker (facing east) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 7, 2015

3. West Virginia State University Marker (facing east)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 13, 2019

4. West Virginia State University Marker

West Virginia State University entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 7, 2015

5. West Virginia State University entrance

West Virginia State University image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 13, 2019

6. West Virginia State University

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 432 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 1, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on March 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 1, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on March 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 6. submitted on August 1, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.