Timeline
Institutional History
1830 June Establishment of VBES
Meeting of the Virginia Baptist General Association and establishment of the Virginia Baptist Education Society (VBES), advocated by James B. Taylor and Jeremiah Bell Jeter to provide educational assistance to those deemed fit for ministerial roles.
Meeting of the Virginia Baptist General Association and establishment of the Virginia Baptist Education Society (VBES), advocated by James B. Taylor and Jeremiah Bell Jeter to provide educational assistance to those deemed fit for ministerial roles.
1830 August Education Centers Open
Opening of home-based ministerial education centers in the homes of Eli Ball (Henrico County) and Edward Baptist (Dunlora Plantation, Powhatan County). Nine to 14 students were enrolled at Dunlora, where 57 enslaved people were held in 1830. Ministerial students’ formal education was often interrupted by their evangelism in area churches, but their effects on local revivals provided goodwill for the eventual permanent institution.
Opening of home-based ministerial education centers in the homes of Eli Ball (Henrico County) and Edward Baptist (Dunlora Plantation, Powhatan County). Nine to 14 students were enrolled at Dunlora, where 57 enslaved people were held in 1830. Ministerial students’ formal education was often interrupted by their evangelism in area churches, but their effects on local revivals provided goodwill for the eventual permanent institution.
1832 March VBS
VBES resolution forming the Virginia Baptist Seminary, precursor to Richmond College.
VBES resolution forming the Virginia Baptist Seminary, precursor to Richmond College.
1832 July Open VBS at Spring Farm
Opening of Virginia Baptist Seminary at Spring Farm, adjacent to present day Bryan Park in Richmond. The seminary is led by Robert Ryland, who served as principal, teacher, and steward, overseeing enslaved people who labored for staff and students. Ryland emphasized the liberal arts and the admission of “literary” (liberal arts) students, as well as aspiring ministers. The seminary enrolled 14 students in 1832, 25 in 1833, and 39 in 1934.
Opening of Virginia Baptist Seminary at Spring Farm, adjacent to present day Bryan Park in Richmond. The seminary is led by Robert Ryland, who served as principal, teacher, and steward, overseeing enslaved people who labored for staff and students. Ryland emphasized the liberal arts and the admission of “literary” (liberal arts) students, as well as aspiring ministers. The seminary enrolled 14 students in 1832, 25 in 1833, and 39 in 1934.
1835 Relocate
Relocation of Virginia Baptist Seminary to the Columbia estate, one mile from the city limits of Richmond in the present day Fan District. Enrollment soon grows to 60 students.
Relocation of Virginia Baptist Seminary to the Columbia estate, one mile from the city limits of Richmond in the present day Fan District. Enrollment soon grows to 60 students.
1840 RC Charter
Charter of Richmond College by the Virginia General Assembly.
Charter of Richmond College by the Virginia General Assembly.
1854 Westhampton
Opening of Richmond Female Institute, which will later be tied to the formation of Westhampton College (1914).
Opening of Richmond Female Institute, which will later be tied to the formation of Westhampton College (1914).
1861 Civil War Closure
Richmond College closes due to the Civil War.
Richmond College closes due to the Civil War.
1865 Finances
Richmond College is financially devastated by the Civil War and the investment of its endowment in Confederate bonds. After the war, work begins to reopen the campus, first as a high school. In 1866, Robert Ryland resigns as president of Richmond College and is succeeded by Tiberius G. Jones.
Richmond College is financially devastated by the Civil War and the investment of its endowment in Confederate bonds. After the war, work begins to reopen the campus, first as a high school. In 1866, Robert Ryland resigns as president of Richmond College and is succeeded by Tiberius G. Jones.
1869 College President Established
The Richmond College financial situation requires a significant institutional reorganization, which includes abolishing the role of college president and elevating a chairman of the faculty to oversee day-to-day operations.
The Richmond College financial situation requires a significant institutional reorganization, which includes abolishing the role of college president and elevating a chairman of the faculty to oversee day-to-day operations.
As An Unfolding History continues to expand, the timeline will be augmented with additional milestones in the institution’s development.
