Blackstone College for Girls
Encyclopedia
Blackstone College for Girls was a private, religious school for young women in Blackstone
, Nottoway County
, Virginia
. The school operated under the auspices of the Virginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South between 1894 and 1950. Virginia's Department of Historic Resources acknowledged the significance of the site by erecting historical marker number K 174 in 1996. Blackstone College is also designated as a site on the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. The school buildings still stand. Since 1955, the Virginia United Methodist Church has used the former school buildings as a conference center.
on February 15, 1892 and opened its doors to students in 1894. The Institute's facilities were built on six acres of land donated by the Blackstone Land Company.
In 1920 and 1922, two fires devastated the campus. The leaders of the college rebuilt the school on a smaller scale and reopened. In 1943, the college suspended operation for the duration of World War II
, and the school buildings were used as apartments by servicemen and their families. Classes resumed in 1945, but dwindling enrollment and the Korean War
forced the college to close in 1950.
education, preparation for university study, and teacher training.
In addition to standard academic courses, the curriculum included three years of Bible studies. Bishop Cannon advocated not only intellectual, but spiritual training as well. Morning chapel, Sunday sermons, and personal counseling were all part of the school week.
until he was accused of misusing church money after the 1928 election.
George P. Adams, a merchant from Blackstone, was a staff member at the school from its founding through its final semester. Adams oversaw the school's buildings and grounds and also served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Managers. The George P. Adams Memorial Scholarship Trust was established in his honor.
Blackstone, Virginia
Blackstone is a town in Nottoway County, Virginia, United States. The population was 3,675 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Blackstone is located at ....
, Nottoway County
Nottoway County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,725 people, 5,664 households, and 3,885 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 6,373 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. The school operated under the auspices of the Virginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South between 1894 and 1950. Virginia's Department of Historic Resources acknowledged the significance of the site by erecting historical marker number K 174 in 1996. Blackstone College is also designated as a site on the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. The school buildings still stand. Since 1955, the Virginia United Methodist Church has used the former school buildings as a conference center.
History
The Blackstone Female Institute received its charter from the Virginia state legislatureVirginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
on February 15, 1892 and opened its doors to students in 1894. The Institute's facilities were built on six acres of land donated by the Blackstone Land Company.
In 1920 and 1922, two fires devastated the campus. The leaders of the college rebuilt the school on a smaller scale and reopened. In 1943, the college suspended operation for the duration of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and the school buildings were used as apartments by servicemen and their families. Classes resumed in 1945, but dwindling enrollment and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
forced the college to close in 1950.
Curriculum
At the school's inception, its students completed five years of study, the equivalent of the eighth grade plus the four years of high school. Modeled on the Randolph-Macon System of schools, the Blackstone curriculum provided three programs: a basic high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
education, preparation for university study, and teacher training.
In addition to standard academic courses, the curriculum included three years of Bible studies. Bishop Cannon advocated not only intellectual, but spiritual training as well. Morning chapel, Sunday sermons, and personal counseling were all part of the school week.
Faculty and administrators
James Cannon, Jr., pastor and later bishop of the Farmville Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was the school's first principal. Cannon was also the first president of the school. Cannon was a prominent leader in the temperance movementTemperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
until he was accused of misusing church money after the 1928 election.
George P. Adams, a merchant from Blackstone, was a staff member at the school from its founding through its final semester. Adams oversaw the school's buildings and grounds and also served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Managers. The George P. Adams Memorial Scholarship Trust was established in his honor.