Founded in 1775, Hampden-Sydney is one of the oldest colleges in the nation. Wealthy, white men built the school conceptually–planning its layout, curriculum, and more–and often receive all of the credit for founding H-SC. However, African American workers literally built the school–working the land, constructing its buildings, and serving students and faculty in numerous ways. These early workers’ lives were closely intertwined with the daily life of the college, and many are ancestors of people who still work at Hampden-Sydney today. This website is an attempt to share their often untold stories.
Use the menu above or click the photos below to explore this website further, and learn more about the individuals and sites pictured below. Enjoy!
About the Project
Slate Hill Plantation
Groundskeepers
Boarding Houses & Fraternities
So interesting. Thank you for the fine work. This information should be shared widely.