Members of Senate; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Member of the Virginia Senate 1871-1873, and again from 1877-1887. He represented York County. He was also a member of the First Board of Visitors of Virginia State University and the first treasurer.
African American; Principal; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Ida M. Harris was the first female administrator at what is now Virginia State University. She was originally from Fairfax County, Virginia. She was very involved in the development of African American Education in Virginia after the War of the...
Correspondence; Employment; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
A letter from James M. Colson, to Alfred W. Harris about the availability of employment at the newly chartered Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute.
Local Events; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Samuel A. Mann was a local "white" farmer who lived about eight miles from Virginia State University. This page from his diary describing his family's activities on this day that the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute opened for...
Paine Institute Held Its First Class On January 1, 1884, In Rented Quarters On Broad Street in Augusta, GA. Among The First Group Of Young People Present That Morning Was John Wesley Gilbert, Who Stepped Ahead Of The Others And Enrolled As The...
Correspondence; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Letter written March 28, 1884, by the architect, Harrison Waite, to the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute concerning delivery of bricks for the main building.
College Seal; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
This original seal first appeared in 1885; but was never officially adopted as the school seal. However, elements of this unofficial seal were incorporated into the seal that was officially adopted and used from 1914 to 1991.
Virginia School Report; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
The report of the summer session of Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute from the principal, James Storum to the superintendent of public instruction.
College President; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
John Mercer Langston was the first president of what is now Virginia State University. He was the third head of the institution, following principals, James Storum and James M. Colson Jr. He served in office from January 1, 1886 - December 31,...
Principal; Female; African American; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Kate Hill Colson, was the oldest child born to John Henry and Rosetta Hill. After the Civil War they returned to Petersburg, and Miss Hill attended the St. Stephen's Normal School in Petersburg. She was one of the first African American school...
He joined the faculty as Professor of Applied Mathematics in 1887 and served for more than three decades. He was also listed as superintendent of Grading in the Industrial Department from 1892-1895.
Secretary; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Charles James Daniel was born in Orange County, Virginia. Before coming to the Institute he had studied at Howard University, and was a graduate of the Richmond Institute in 1878. He taught school in Louisa County, Virginia, and from 1882 to...
