Farmville in Prince Edward County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Farmville Female Seminary Association
Farmville, Virginia
— Prince Edward County —
Founded on March 5, 1839 as the Farmville Female Seminary Association, Longwood is one of the oldest colleges originally for women in the country. In 1842 the cornerstone was laid for the first true college building, which is today known as Ruffner Hall. The College was fortunate to make it through most of the Civil War unscathed. It wasn’t until the last few days of the War, as Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his troops retreated from advancing Federal forces through Farmville, that a skirmish ensued on High Street. According to one account, “Minie balls felI about the building (Ruffner)— one crashed through a window where several girls were standing, and when they had recovered from their panic, their friends in gray had vanished Iike the phantom of a dream.”
In 1884 the Commonwealth of Virginia acquired the property, renaming it the State Female Normal School at Farmville, with 110 students. This was the first state-supported institution of higher education for women in Virginia. By 1927 it had a rating as one of the 12 most outstanding state teachers’ colleges in the country, and served as a model for similar colleges across the Commonwealth.
In 1949, after several more name changes, the school became Longwood College, named in recognition of the Longwood Estate, site of the current president’s residence, Longwood House. In 1972 the first African-American graduated from Longwood, and the College went coeducational in 1976. In 2002 the name changed again to Longwood University, representing the wide variety of both bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered in a broad range of majors.
Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail®. (Marker Number 25.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1509.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 18.048′ N, 78° 23.79′ W. Marker was in Farmville, Virginia, in Prince Edward County. Marker could be reached from High Street (County Route 643) south of St George Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Farmville VA 23901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Farmville Female Seminary Association (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Four Sororities Founded (about 400 feet away); A New Birth of Freedom (about 400 feet away); Confederate Veterans Monument (about 500 feet away); Dr. William W. H. Thackston (about 600 feet away); Beulah AME Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farmville.
More about this marker. On the left are two photos with the captions:
"(Top Left) Students at work in the science laboratory, 1938-39."
"(Bottom Left) The Rotunda and students, 1910. The Rotunda, the signature historic building on campus burned to the ground in a devastating fire on April 24, 2001 and will be reconstructed."
In the center is a photo of "(Above Center) Members of Delta Sigma Chi Sorority, 1925."
On the right is a photo of "(Above) George W. Jeffers, Professor of Biology; Mildred D. Davis, Associate Professor of English; C.G. Gordon Moss, Professor of History and Social Sciences, Dean of the College and Longwood’s leading civil rights advocate. Pictured here at commencement in 1968."
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Also see . . .
1. Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. Virginia's Retreat (Submitted on May 30, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. Longwood University. (Submitted on May 30, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,268 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 30, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.