Commissioned Officer; Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute.
Virginus Johnston was a 1913 graduate of the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute. Virginus was one of five Virginia State University graduates to be commissioned an officer in the 92nd division during World War I.
Campus Physician; First Physics Graduate; Virginia State College for Negroes
Charles Townes entered Virginia State College for Negroes in 1931. Mr. Towns became the first physics graduate in 1934. He went on to get a Ph.D in physics from Penn State and M.D. in medicine from Howard University. After World War II, Dr....
High School Teacher; College Faculty Member; Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute
Dannie Starr graduated from Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute in 1928. Her career at Virginia State included time teaching at the university high school and as a member of the college faculty after 1940. She later married Charles Townes.
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...
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.
