Holly Knoll facts for kids
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Robert R. Moton House
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 6496 Allmondsville Rd., Capahosic, Virginia |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1935 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000640 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 21, 1981 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1981 |
Holly Knoll, also known as the Robert R. Moton House, is a special historic house in rural Gloucester County, Virginia. It is located near Capahosic. This house was the retirement home of a very important African-American educator named Robert Russa Moton (1867-1940). It is the only one of his homes that is still standing today.
Now, Holly Knoll is home to the Gloucester Institute. This is a non-profit center that trains African-American community leaders and educators. Because of its important history, Holly Knoll was named a National Historic Landmark in 1981. This means it is recognized as a place of great historical value to the United States.
What is Holly Knoll Like?
Holly Knoll sits on the northeast bank of the York River. It is between the towns of Capahosic and Allmondsville. The main house is a two-and-a-half-story building made of brick. It has a sloped roof and smaller sections on each side.
A large, two-story porch covers much of the front of the house. This porch has smooth, round columns. Inside, the house has a classic Colonial Revival design with a central hallway. You can still see some furniture that belonged to Robert R. Moton here. The property also has a copy of the log home where Moton grew up.
The History of Holly Knoll
The house was built in 1935 for Robert Russa Moton. He lived there until he passed away in 1940. Moton was one of the most important African-American educators of his time. He took over from Booker T. Washington as a leader at Hampton University. He also led the Tuskegee Institute. Moton also helped start the National Urban League, an organization that works for civil rights.
After Moton's death, Holly Knoll became a conference center. It is now called The Gloucester Institute. This center continues Moton's work in education. During the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, Holly Knoll was a key meeting place. African-American thinkers and activists met there to plan important strategies.
