Gloucester Agricultural and Industrial School (Gloucester County, Va.) records, 1877-1929

Location of collection:

Library of Virginia

The Library of Virginia

800 East Broad Street

Richmond, VA 23219

Contact for questions and access:

POC: Archives Reference Services

Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov

Phone: (804) 692-3888

Web: www.lva.virginia.gov

Summary

Extent:

.955 cu. ft. (3 boxes)

Creator:

Gloucester Agricultural and Industrial School (Gloucester County, Va.)

Language:

English

Background

Scope and content:

Records, 1877-1929, of the Gloucester Agricultural and Industrial School in Gloucester County, Virginia, founded by Weaver in 1888. Included are articles on the school, catalogues, circulars and forms, correspondence, deeds, programs, and teacher licenses. Of note is a minute and record book containing minutes from the school's formation, as well as invitations and flyers, including to programs where Frederick Douglass was the speaker. There is also a set of the school's monthly newsletter entitled "The Gloucester Messenger," and "The Gloucester Letter," which was written for a short time by Weaver after he severed his ties with the school.

Biographical / historical:

Gloucester Agricultural and Industrial School was founded in Gloucester County, Virginia, in 1888 by William B. Weaver (1852-1929) and Thomas Calhoun Walker (1862-1953) to educate African Americans. Weaver served as principal and teacher at the school from 1888 to 1899. Originally funded by individual contributions and student tuition, the school received financial support from the American Missionary Association. William Gibbons Price (1868-1941) replaced Weaver as principal in 1899 and served until 1932. Declining student population and the Great Depression led to the school's closing in 1933. At its beginning, the school was known as the Gloucester High School, and through the years it was also known as the Cappahosic School.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Reuben Price, Hampton, Virginia.