Diamond Hill in Lynchburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Amelia Perry Pride’s Dorchester Home

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2015

1. Amelia Perry Pride’s Dorchester Home Marker

Inscription. Near this spot stood a small frame house known as Dorchester Home or Old Folks Home for impoverished former slave women. Established in 1897 by Hampton Institute graduate and Lynchburg public school principal Amelia Perry Pride (1857-1932), it provided shelter, fuel, clothing, and food for its residents until their deaths. Following Hampton Institute’s principle of uplifting her race through self-help, Pride was a passionate advocate of African American and Virginia Indian education. In Lynchburg, she provided scholarships for many young women seeking higher education and established sewing and cooking schools for women and men entering vocational fields.

Erected 2014 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-6-30.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 37° 24.255′ N, 79° 9.123′ W. Marker is in Lynchburg, Virginia. It is in Diamond Hill. Marker is on Pierce Street south of 13th

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Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lynchburg VA 24501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. C.W. Seay (a few steps from this marker); Chauncey E. Spencer, Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Anne Spencer House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Anne Spencer House (within shouting distance of this marker); In Tribute to Anne Bethel Spencer (within shouting distance of this marker); Anne Spencer Home and Edankraal (within shouting distance of this marker); Rumble Seat (within shouting distance of this marker); Anne Spencer (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lynchburg.

Also see . . . Festival in historic Lynchburg neighborhood celebrates two new historical markers. 2014 article by Amy Trent in the Lynchburg News & Advance. (Submitted on October 24, 2015.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2015

2. Amelia Perry Pride’s Dorchester Home Marker

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2015

3. Amelia Perry Pride’s Dorchester Home Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 781 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.