Hartshorn Memorial College

(c. 1883)

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School (c. 2017)

Name of the Site: Hartshorn Memorial College (modernly known as Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School)

Date of Construction: 7 November 1883

Reason for Construction:  It was one of the first institutions created exclusively for the education of African American women that began in the Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Site History: Hartshorn Memorial College was the first college to educate African-American woman. It first opened on November 7. 1833 in Richmond. Virginia. On March 13. It was first charted by the Virginia legislature as “an institution of learning of collegiate grades for the education of young woman” Three young women, Mary Moore Booze, Harriet Amanda Miller, and Dixie Erma Williams, were the first to graduate and receive a degree in 1892. Unfortunately, the college was never fully funded in which struggled to keep the college running. In 1918, Hartshorn students began to enroll in classes in Virginia Union University. This then resulted by 1922. Hartshorn Memorial College entered an agreement to educate their students at Virginia Union University. Rather than merging with Virginia Union University, In June 1928, Hartshorn officials decided to close down the college program and focus on the high school. In 1932, the college trustees moved the school’s property to Virginia Union, merged with the school, and became Hartshorn Memorial College in Virginia Union University.

History of the Surrounding Area:  The ABHMS (American Baptist Home Mission Societies) established Hartshorn Memorial College and it only had about fifty eight female students where they were taught in the basement of the church.By the 1890s the ABHMS pushed plans to merge Wayland Seminary and Richmond Theological Seminary.  In 1899 they became Virginia Union University.

Changes of the Site/Surrounding Area:

Hartshorn Memorial College was demolished after merging with Virginia Union University and there is now a school called Maggie L. Walker in the place of Hartshorn Memorial College. The only physical reminder of the Memorial College is a memorial plaque in front of the Maggie L Walker Campus. Maggie L. Walker, compared to Hartshorn is very different in physical appearances and in academics. Hartshorn Memorial College goal was to educate young, African-American woman and ensure that they will graduate from college but for Maggie Walker, it is a high school for Government and International studies. Also, Maggie Walker’s physical appearances is more modern than Hartshorn because of the time differences and the advancements of technologies. Maggie Walker is shown as with flags representing the country of each language that is offered at the school and has a mini parking lot for administrators or teachers. With Hartshorn, the college is shown with only a fence to go around it and pure grass and trees to go by. Since Hartshorn barely made it through because of issues with funding, cars weren't as popular as present day with Maggie Walker. Often, people would walk or ride their bike to Hartshorn College for their transportation.

Reflection: This project has taught us more than we thought it would’ve because the name behind our school has such a meaningful significance to many inhabitants of the area and the area, that it was built on, has importance as well. Maggie Lena Walker was known for bringing many great changes to Richmond, especially the first black bank, but the history of this memorial college is also pivotal to the history of African Americans and the need to thrive under trying circumstances during times of inequality.

Citations:

• Education. Accessed February 15, 2017.

    https://books.google.com/books?id=6nyDBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA109#v=onepage&q&f=true.

• "Virginia Union University." Eligio Jr. Martinez. Accessed February 15, 2017.

    http://www.blackpast.org/aah/virginia-union-university-1865.