Jackson Ward in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Leigh Street Armory

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2016

1. Leigh Street Armory Marker

Inscription. In 1895, the city of Richmond constructed the Leigh Street or First Battalion Virginia Volunteers Armory, the nation’s only 19th-century armory built for an African American militia. Several decades of noteworthy performance by Virginia’s black militia combined with tireless lobbying by Richmond Planet editor John Mitchell, Jr., contributed to the city’s decision to fund the armory. After 1899, when Virginia’s governor disbanded black militia units, the armory served until 1981 primarily as a school for black children: Monroe Elementary School, Colored Special School, Graves Junior High School annex, and Armstrong High School annex. During World War II, it served as a reception center for black soldiers.

Erected 2012 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-102.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 37° 32.996′ N, 77° 26.489′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the Jackson Ward. It is at the intersection of West Leigh Street (Virginia Route 33) and St Peter

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Street, on the right when traveling west on West Leigh Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 W Leigh St, Richmond VA 23220, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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: Ebenezer Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Richmond’s First African American Police Officers (about 500 feet away); Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Jasper (approx. 0.2 miles away); Officer Vernon L. Jarrelle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles Sidney Gilpin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Friends Asylum for Colored Orphans (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Also see . . . Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia. (Submitted on April 18, 2016.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2016

2. Leigh Street Armory Marker

Leigh Street Armory (Black History Museum ) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2016

3. Leigh Street Armory (Black History Museum )

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,979 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.