Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute Historic District facts for kids
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Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute Historic District
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The Henry James Brown House, seen in April 2017
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | VA 617, Gravel Hill, Virginia |
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| Area | 18 acres (7.3 ha) |
| Built | 1837-1863 |
| Built by | Shepard, Carrol M.; Multiple |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000035 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 4, 1984 |
The Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute Historic District is a special area in Gravel Hill, Buckingham County, Virginia. It includes buildings that were once part of an important school for young women. This school was one of the first colleges for women in Virginia. Today, the land and buildings are privately owned.
Contents
History of the Institute
Starting a College for Women
In 1831, two people named Samuel Shepard and Dr. John Wesley Langhorne had a great idea. They wanted to create a college just for women in Virginia. They formed a group called the Trustees of the Female Collegiate Institute. Their goal was to open the first official college for women in the state.
The college officially opened its doors in 1838. It was designed to welcome up to 120 students. Young women could study and earn special degrees. They could become a "Mistress of English Literature" or a "Mistress of Classic Literature." This meant they were experts in either English studies or classical subjects.
Life at the Institute
The Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute was a place where young women could get a good education. It was a big step forward for women's learning in Virginia. The college operated for many years, helping students learn and grow.
However, the college faced money problems over time. Because of these financial difficulties, the school had to close. It stopped teaching students in 1863.
Important Buildings in the District
The historic district includes several buildings that were part of the original college. These buildings are made of brick and wood. They help us remember what the college was like.
Here are some of the key buildings:
- The President's House (built around 1852-1853) was where the college president lived. This building was later damaged and removed in 2010.
- The Henry James Brown House is another important building.
- The John S. West store/dwelling was likely a place for business and living.
- The Institute Tavern (built around 1850) might have been a place for visitors or meetings.
- The Cobb-West-England House (built around 1850) is also part of the district.
Recognizing its Importance
The Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute Historic District is very important to Virginia's history. It shows how education for women grew in the past. Because of its historical value, the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This list includes places that are important to the history of the United States.
Famous Students
Some notable people studied at the Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute.
- Antonia Ford (1838-1871)
- Julia A. Wood (1840-1927), a writer
