Broadnax in Brunswick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd

Broadnax, Virginia

— Brunswick County —

Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 27, 2021

1. Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd Marker

Inscription. Though many freed African Americans continued after the Civil War to work the same farms on which they had been slaves, many also left their homes in search of better opportunities elsewhere. Often the sick, elderly, and very young were left behind, with no way to care for themselves and thus placing a burden on local governments. Concerned by the plight of these African Americans, Mrs. Pattie Hicks Buford (b. 1836), wife of Judge F.E. Buford, first built "The Chapel in the Woods" to nurse the increasing number of sick and elderly African American in her community. In 1883, she built the Church Home for the Aged, Infirm, and Disabled Colored People, a full-fledged hospital in Brunswick County. The Mission Rooms Bible House in New York initially sponsored the hospital. A few years later, when it withdrew its support, Mrs. Buford often toured the North, visiting with wealthy and influential friends to raise money for her work. In 1891 the hospital was destroyed by fire, but her supporters contributed enough to rebuild it, as well as to build an orphanage, known as the School of the Good Shepherd. Mrs. Buford died in 1901.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

The orphanage and hospital remained in operation until 1907. The hospital has since been renovated, and the building in which the hospital operated was later used for several years as a bed and breakfast, known as the Three Angels Inn, until transitioning to a private residence. The school and orphanage are still standing next door.

Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. (Marker Number BR5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Science & Medicine • Women. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 36° 44.756′ N, 77° 52.843′ W. Marker is in Broadnax, Virginia, in Brunswick County. It is on Pleasant Grove Road (County Road 681) 0.2 miles west of Governor Harrison Parkway (U.S. 58), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 236 Pleasant Grove Rd, Brodnax VA 23920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 27, 2021

2. Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd Marker

Southern Virginia,

specifically in the Piedmont,

and in Southside Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Goronwy Owen (approx. 1.9 miles away); Brunswick County Courthouse (approx. 2.1 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Col. John Jones (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Fort Christanna (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Colonial Dames of America Monument (approx. 2.3 miles away); Site of Fort Christanna (approx. 2.3 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd (has been replaced with this marker); Saint Paul's College (was approx. 2 miles away but has

Paid Advertisement

been replaced with another marker now near it); Brunswick County Confederate Monument (was approx. 2.1 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd".

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 467 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.