College Building; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Construction began in 1883, and was finished in 1888. It contained classrooms, library, dormitories, cafeteria, administrative offices, faculty housing, infirmary, and auditorium. It could accommodate 1000 students. The name was changed to...
Mills; Pre-Civil War; Industrial History; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
This is a view of Fleets Hill in 1883, as seen from Petersburg across the Appomattox River. This picture shows some of the many mills operating from water power along the Appomattox in Ettrick and Petersburg from the mid-1840s through the 1890s.
Campus Buildings; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Built for the owner of the Fleet Farm in 1834. The building became known as the Griffin House, after John Griffin bought the tract in 1879. It was purchased for Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute in 1882. It was converted into the main...
Campus Building; Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute
The First Unit of the Old Gym was constructed during the 1920s. This first stage was completed as a result of efforts of the Valiant Volunteers alumni, students, and faculty who donated time, labor, and $8,000. Later the building was named for...
Campus Buildings; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Built for the owner of the Fleet Farm in 1834. The building became known as the Griffin House, after John Griffin bought the tract in 1879. It was purchased for Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute in 1882. It was converted into the main...
Faculty Housing; Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute
This is the oldest building standing on campus. Built in 1906-1907 as a residence for the president of the school, it was the second major building erected, the first being the Main Building (Old Virginia Hall, begun in 1883 and completed in...
Politician; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Alfred W. Harris was a member of the House of Delegates from 1881-1888. He presented the Bill to establish Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute now Virginia State University.
Freedom fighter; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
John Henry Hill was born a slave in King and Queen County, Virginia, in March 1828. He escaped from the institution of slavery in 1853 and fled to Canada. He was very active in the Underground Railroad movement in Canada. After the Civil War...
African American; Educator; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
He was the first science teacher at the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute now Virginia State University. Mr. Colson was an 1883 graduate of Dartmouth College. He served as acting principal in 1885 replacing the first principal James...
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,...
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...
Not many HBCUs had Reserve Officers Training Corps, at the beginning of World War I. James Nicholas, who will graduate from Virginia State and become a full professor at Virginia State and Rector of the Board of Visitors, was a member of this corp.
Model School; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
A group of students, their teacher and the president pose in front of the university model school. The model school will later become the elementary school.
African American; Legislator; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Delegate Peter J. Carter 1844-1888, was born a slave in Northhampton County, Virginia. He was elected first Rector of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute on February 15, 1883.
