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The first African American governor in the United States, L. Douglas Wilder, was elected in Virginia in 1989.
About Prince Edward County
Prince Edward County Timeline
Prince Edward County, Virginia, has a rich history dating back to the early colonial period. The area was first settled in the early 18th century, with English settlers building farms and plantations along the Appomattox River. Originally part of Amelia County, Prince Edward County was officially established in 1754 and named after Prince Edward, Duke of York and Albany.
During the American Revolutionary War, Prince Edward County played a significant role as a strategic location between the cities of Richmond and Petersburg. The county saw various skirmishes and military movements, with many local residents joining the fight for independence. After the war, the county's economy mainly depended on tobacco plantations, which were worked by both enslaved African Americans and white indentured servants.
In the mid-19th century, Prince Edward County became known for its prominent educational institutions. Hampden-Sydney College, one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States, was founded in 1775 and continues to operate to this day. Additionally, in 1896, the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute (now known as Virginia State University) was established in nearby Ettrick, providing higher education for African American students.
However, the county's history took a darker turn during the era of segregation. In 1951, the local public schools were closed as a result of the infamous Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County case. The white-dominated local government responded to the Supreme Court's ruling on school desegregation by closing all public schools for five years rather than integrating them. The "Massive Resistance" movement in the county gained national attention and left thousands of African American students without access to education until the schools reopened in 1959.
Today, Prince Edward County is a thriving community that encompasses both rural landscapes and vibrant towns. Its history, though marked by both progress and challenges, serves as a reminder of the county's resilience and the ongoing struggle for equality.
During the American Revolutionary War, Prince Edward County played a significant role as a strategic location between the cities of Richmond and Petersburg. The county saw various skirmishes and military movements, with many local residents joining the fight for independence. After the war, the county's economy mainly depended on tobacco plantations, which were worked by both enslaved African Americans and white indentured servants.
In the mid-19th century, Prince Edward County became known for its prominent educational institutions. Hampden-Sydney College, one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States, was founded in 1775 and continues to operate to this day. Additionally, in 1896, the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute (now known as Virginia State University) was established in nearby Ettrick, providing higher education for African American students.
However, the county's history took a darker turn during the era of segregation. In 1951, the local public schools were closed as a result of the infamous Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County case. The white-dominated local government responded to the Supreme Court's ruling on school desegregation by closing all public schools for five years rather than integrating them. The "Massive Resistance" movement in the county gained national attention and left thousands of African American students without access to education until the schools reopened in 1959.
Today, Prince Edward County is a thriving community that encompasses both rural landscapes and vibrant towns. Its history, though marked by both progress and challenges, serves as a reminder of the county's resilience and the ongoing struggle for equality.
Prince Edward County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Prince Edward County, Virginia.
- 1608: Captain John Smith explores the area.
- 1754: Prince Edward County is formed from parts of Amelia County.
- 1807: The town of Farmville is established as the county seat.
- 1819: Hampden-Sydney College, the oldest privately chartered college in the southern United States, is founded.
- 1865: During the American Civil War, Prince Edward County is occupied by Union forces.
- 1951: The Racial Integrity Act, requiring racial purity in marriage, is unsuccessfully challenged in the county.
- 1959: Prince Edward County shuts down public schools in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, leading to the "Lost Schools" period.
- 1964: The Supreme Court orders the reopening of public schools, ending the "Lost Schools" period.