Chase City in Mecklenburg County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Thyne Institute
Chase City, Virginia
— Mecklenburg County —
Thyne Institute was established by Rev. J.Y. Ashenhurst, United Presbyterian Church, and a group of local citizens to provide an opportunity for African Americans (known as “freedmen” in the late 1800s) to obtain an education. In 1876 73 students were enrolled. Dr. Ashenhurst began teaching from a tobacco warehouse when Mr. John Thyne donated five acres of land and built the first school building. The church named the school in his honor. In 1914 Thyne Institute gained high school accreditation by the Virginia Department of Education. Academics such as Latin, calculus, Bible and music, as well as a good practical education, were taught. Thyne Institute was so successful at delivering a quality education to African Americans that other schools throughout the South followed a similar pattern. Examples are Henderson Institute of North Carolina and Bluestone Harmony School of Virginia.
The church expanded the school in 1893, when the school started boarding students. Students from as far away as Ohio and New York attended. However, most of the boarding students came from the Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads area of the state. Enrollment peaked in the 1951-1952 school year, with 650 students, a staff of 23 teachers and a graduation class of 140. Thyne Institute enriched the lives of over 5,000 students and their descendents and during its time, set the standard of quality for education for African Americans.
The school was eventually turned over to the Mecklenburg County School Board. In the 1970s the campus buildings were replaced by a new elementary school.
The accomplishments of Thyne Institute were not obtained without sacrifice and dedication to purpose. The school suffered many setbacks, including fires, financial difficulties and hostilities within the community among the white and black population. The Institute soared as an educational giant in an age and time when society did not recognize education as essential to quality of life, but rather as a deterrent to hard work.
Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail®. (Marker Number 36.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 36° 49.002′ N, 78° 28.345′ W. Marker was in Chase City, Virginia, in Mecklenburg County. Marker was at the intersection of Highway Forty Seven (Virginia Route 47) and Village Road (Virginia Route 874), on the left when traveling west on Highway Forty Seven. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 30935 Highway 49, Chase City VA 23924, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Thyne Institute (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Thyne Institute (approx. 0.2 miles away); Christiansville (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sgt. Earle D. Gregory (approx. 1.4 miles away); Lunenburg County / Mecklenburg County (approx. 4.1 miles away); Charlotte County / Mecklenburg County (approx. 5.3 miles away); Paul Carrington (approx. 7.1 miles away); Roanoke Plantation (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chase City.
More about this marker. On the left are three photos with the captions:
"(Above) Dr. Frank W. Wilson served as Principal of the Thyne Institute from 1906-1942."
"(Center Left) Vincent Hall served as the girl’s dormitory."
"(Bottom Left) Hunter Hall served as the boy’s dormitory."
On the center is a "(Above Center) Thyne Institute diploma issued in 1900 to the wife of George Lancaster, Sr."
On the right is a photo of "(Above) Wilson Hall, Thyne’s Administration and Classroom Building named for Dr. Frank W. Wilson, principal for 36 years."
Photo of Dr. Wilson and dormitory photos courtesy of Virginia State University Archives. Wilson Hall photo courtesy of Mrs. Hortense W. Bouldin.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Thyne Institute".
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,695 times since then and 105 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.