HCTV Programs

Ward Elementary School stands along Darbytown Road in Henrico County's rural Varina area. The school takes its name from Henry Ward, a compassionate, down-to-earth family man who helped spark the educations of a generation of local children. In and out of the classroom, Ward demonstrated an ability to lead and inspire. Nine years after Ward's death, the Henrico School Board honored his years of service to the community by naming a new school after him. Join HCTV as we explore his life and legacy in By George: The Story of Henry Ward.

Cashell Donahoe left an indelible mark on Henrico County, having served as assistant superintendent of schools from 1956 until 1974. But Donahoe was more than a teacher and an administrator. He was a mountain of a man, with an abiding faith, a commitment to others and a thirst for knowledge. Join HCTV as we examine the life ofÊCashell Donahoe: A Gentleman and a Scholar.

Born in 1891, Elizabeth Young Adam grew up in Richmond, and moved to Henrico in 1922, when she married her longtime beau, Sheppard Crump. They lived at Meadow Farm, where Elizabeth continued to live after her husband's death in 1960. She devoted her life to volunteering and philanthropic activities, and was esteemed throughout the community. Following her husband's wishes, she donated two parcels of land to Henrico County for today's Meadow Farm Museum and the Crump Manor nursing home, where she spent the last years of her life. Join HCTV as we learn more about this fascinating lady in Central Virginia Biographies: Elizabeth Adam Crump.

From a very early age, Douglas Southall Freeman dedicated himself to accurately recording the story of the Army of Northern Virginia and Robert E. Lee. His meticulous research methods and commitment to his work established him as a nationally known newspaper editor, radio commentator, military expert and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian. Join HCTV in this edition of Central Virginia Biographies as we explore what inspired and motivated Dr.ÊDouglas Southall Freeman: Voice of the Confederate Soldier.

Dr. John Mosby Sheppard of Meadow Farm was a country doctor and farmer during the 19th century"Ða very tumultuous time in Henrico County. Join HCTV as we shed light on Dr. Sheppard, take a glimpse into his medical practice, economic status and the Sheppard family's life during the mid-1800s.

Henrico residents probably recognize the name Patterson as one of the roads they often drive. The road's namesake, however, is likely an afterthought. Dr. Richard Archibald Patterson was a giant of his time Ñ a tobacco pioneer who helped forge his community's recovery from the Civil War; a public servant and philanthropist; a doctor and Civil War surgeon; and a proud Henrico resident who envisioned big things for his community. Join HCTV as we uncover the story of the man, his era and the community he served.

William Cleveland Bosher Junior was born January 21, 1946 in Richmond, and spent his childhood on his family's small farm in Hanover County. He landed his first teaching job in 1968 at Henrico's J.R. Tucker High School at the age of 22, eventually becoming Superintendent of Schools for Henrico County, Chesterfield County, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. He influenced the education of countless children and was known for his educational expertise nationally and internationally Ñ as well as his trademark bow tie. His legacy is in the lives he touched and the spirit of hope he cultivated everywhere he went. Join HCTV as we experience his extraordinary life inÊDr. William C. Bosher, Jr.: The Man Behind the Bow Tie.

Edward A. Beck, Henrico's fourth county manager, led Henrico for a quarter of a century during times of significant growth. Beck drew upon his unique skills as a civil engineer to guide the county through a period of transition following World War II. His vision resulted in the vastly different, modernized Henrico that we know today. Join HCTV as we explore Beck's life, his leadership style and the legacy he left behind.

Henrico County Public Schools is widely recognized as one of the nation's premier school systems, but this modern model of excellence comes from humble beginnings. One cornerstone was laid in the late 19th century, in the parlor of a home on Mountain Road, where a dedicated teacher began sharing her love of learning with a handful of children from the nearby farms. By the time she was done, Elizabeth Jane Holladay had helped build a foundation for public education in Henrico. Students today continue to learn under her watchful eye Ñ at Holladay Elementary School in central Henrico, just a couple miles from her original classroom. Join HCTV as we learn about Miss Lizzie, her life and her dedication to education.

The mere mention of Robert E. Lee conjures up the image of a gray-haired, gray-bearded, gray-suited Confederate General, forever trapped in an 1865 photograph or in a bronze and stone monument. In reality, the Civil War was only four years of his multifaceted, fascinating life, and he was infinitely more complex than the icon he has become. In death, Robert E. Lee still commands attention. He will inevitably fascinate and divide opinion as long as his story continues to unfold. Join HCTV as we explore the controversial figure inÊAn Evolving Legend: The Story of Robert E. Lee.

Jacob L. Adams Elementary School sits along Laburnum Avenue in HenricoÕs East End. Opened in 1967, the school is named for Dr. Jacob L. Adams, a former member and Chair of the Henrico School Board and a beloved dentist in the Highland Springs area. An active community member, Adams was devoted to his local church, his patients, and his family.ÊWhile serving on the School Board from 1945 to 1963, Dr. Adams oversaw a period of significant growth with the addition of 30 new public schools. Join HCTV as we shed light on Jacob L. AdamsÕ Highland Springs legacy.

William Vandervall was born in Richmond in 1860 to free black parents Leroy P. and Rebecca Vandervall. After the Civil War, the family saw opportunities beyond Richmond, and settled in an area of western Henrico known as Rio Vista. The familyÕs commitment to education proved profound. William advocated for educational equality for black students, worked as a teacher for 20 years and was the first African-American mail carrier in the area. His familyÕs land was used for a church and two schools located on Quioccasin Road. Vandervall died on October 10th, 1934, at age 74. He left a legacy of service to his community and to Henrico County.

Were it not for a typical late summer storm in Central Virginia, the events planned for August 30, 1800 might have changed the history of our country forever. A slave named Gabriel, owned by Thomas Henry Prosser of Brookfield plantation, conceived and organized a widespread slave uprising. Involving several Virginia localities, it was possibly the most far-reaching slave uprising planned in the history of the South. The plan might have succeeded had it not been for a sudden, severe downpour and the disclosure of the plot by several slaves, including Tom and Pharoah, who belonged to Mosby Sheppard of Meadow Farm. The alarm went out and the rebellion was thwarted. The effects of the conspiracy were profound and as a result, county and state leaders instituted legislation to regulate the movement of slaves and free blacks. Join HCTV as we tell the story of Gabriel and the failed insurrection inÊForging Freedom: The Story of Gabriel's Rebellion.

Robert C. Longan left an indelible mark across Henrico despite the limits of his own education. Longan grew up on his family's farm in rural Louisa County, before moving to Richmond where he married and became a successful businessman. In 1920, he opened Longan's Family Shoe Store downtown at Fifth and Broad, and in 1943 was elected to represent the Tuckahoe District on the Henrico Board of Supervisors. Longan retired from the board on December 31, 1959, and died from a heart attack the very next day. He left such a mark on Henrico that community leaders thought of him in 1964, when a new elementary school was being planned off West End Drive. R.C. Longan Elementary was dedicated two years later, in 1966.

George Henry Moody held the office of superintendent for 13 of his 38 years with Henrico County Schools, and was honored and lauded in countless ways. He was a humble man, from humble beginnings, and is worthy of remembrance for leaving an indelible mark as an educator, a leader, and as a humanitarian in Henrico County. Join HCTV as we explore the man for whom Moody Middle School was named inÊGeorge Henry Moody: A Man to Remember, A Name to Honor.

Charles Monroe Johnson didn't intend to shape the future of Henrico County when he settled near Bethlehem Road after World War II. As a young husband and father, he wanted simply to live in a strong, vibrant community. Today, Charles M. Johnson Elementary School stands as a testament to one man's willingness to step up, to volunteer and to devote himself to his community. Join HCTV as we talk to family members, friends and colleagues who share their stories of a true Henrico Statesman.

Arthur Ashe, Jr. is known worldwide as a tennis champion, an advocate for education and for his tragic death due to AIDS-related pneumonia as a result of a blood transfusion. Ashe's legacy and his ties to Central Virginia are further cemented in the Henrico County public school that bears his name, Arthur Ashe, Jr. Elementary. Join HCTV as we explore the man behind the tennis racket, and learn about how he used his notoriety to help the people of Richmond, especially children.

Jackson Davis made his name as an education reformer. He travelled with his camera, taking thousands of photographs documenting the often-poor condition of African-American education in the South during the first half of the 20th century. These stark images and Davis' meticulous notes helped attract private investment that gradually lifted rural communities still suffering from the Civil War. While his service to Henrico lasted only a few years, Davis' legacy continues. In 1962, the School Board opened Jackson Davis Elementary honoring the catalyst for educational equality.

To southerners, James Ewell Brown Stuart is best known as the "Bold Cavalier" of the Confederate Cavalry during the American Civil War, and as Robert E. Lee's go-to intelligence man. Join HCTV as we follow J.E.B. Stuart's journey from his boyhood in Ararat, Virginia; his cadet years at West Point; his encounter with abolitionist John Brown at Harpers Ferry; and finally, to his mortal wounding at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in Henrico County.

Chief Justice John Marshall helped shape the future of our nation. From his humble beginnings on the Virginia frontier, Marshall served his country in the American Revolutionary War, became a prominent and respected politician, and served for 34 years as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. His wisdom, patriotism, and judicial expertise set an example of justice for the world to follow. Learn how Marshall's leadership cemented the role of the Supreme Court as the Law of the Land in this Central Virginia Biography, John Marshall: In the Opinion of the Court.

The Tucker name has a legacy of great lawyers and law educators in Virginia dating back to our country's beginning. John Randolph Tucker continued the family heritage and became a highly respected law practitioner and educator just as his ancestors before him. But it was because of his firm belief in civic betterment that he fought for Henrico County to have its own professional government that gave Tucker a legacy all his own.

With a life that spanned from his native England to the American frontier and ultimately Henrico County, John Cussons left us with a colorful image of his spirited adventures and brash personality. But what do we really know about him? Is it possible to separate the truth from the fiction? The man from the legend? Join HCTV as we learn about the fearless pioneer inÊLarger than Life: Captain John Cussons (1838-1912).

Lewis Ginter is probably best known in our area for the botanical garden bearing his name. Located in Henrico County, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is but one of the many contributions Ginter made to the Metro Richmond area with the help of his niece, Grace Arents. Although Metro Richmond was a home Ginter adopted, he profoundly changed the landscape and quality of life through his fascinating and diverse business ventures.

Mills Edwin Godwin, Jr., known as Virginia's Education Governor, was born November 19, 1914 in Nansemond County, Virginia (now the City of Suffolk). During his two terms as governor, Godwin championed the community college system in Virginia, was a key player in the Civil Rights Movement, and implemented the sales tax in the Commonwealth. Godwin remains the only governor in the country who was elected and served his first term as a democrat, and his second as a republican. Join HCTV as we learn more about Godwin through the stories of people who knew him best.

Thomas Jefferson's dream was to build a home in the mountains of Virginia. Throughout the years, his many experiences gave him a wealth of knowledge to make this dream come true. Monticello not only reflects Jefferson's many interests, but also embodies the spirit of all the people who lived and worked to make this home one of the most famous man-made wonders of Virginia.

The lilting music of the Carter family sprang from the hills of Southwest Virginia, but it flowered in Henrico County. For about six years during the 1940s, Maybelle Carter and her young daughters "Ð Helen, June and Anita "Ð set roots in Central Virginia. In 1946, they saw their popularity explode when they landed a spot with Richmond's biggest station "Ð WRVA "Ð and its premier stage for hillbilly fun. The family moved to Henrico in 1947, buying a two-story home on what used to be Mountain Road. Join HCTV as we talk to former friends, classmates and fans to learn about Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters during their Henrico years.

Although more than 400 years have passed since she stepped into history, Pocahontas continues to capture the imagination of people everywhere. While representations of her continue to proliferate, how much is really known about the enigmatic icon? Join HCTV for a fresh look at the making of the legend, and how her fascinating journey unfolded.

The students at Pinchbeck Elementary School are known as the Rays Ñ for good reason. The school's name and mascot come from Raymond B. Pinchbeck, a man who served his community locally and nationally. As a Henrico School Board member, a Dean at the University of Richmond and a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, Pinchbeck brightened lives throughout the community and inspired a character in the popular 1970s television series The Waltons.

By the early 1950s, Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd had become one of the world's experts on the Earth's polar regions. Leading his men into undiscovered icy territory in the name of science and exploration earned him the label of an American hero during the first half of the 20th century. Learn about Virginia's own extraordinary explorer, and original namesake of Richmond International Airport, in Richard Evelyn Byrd: Admiral of the Antarctic.

This premiere edition of Central Virginia Biographies takes you into the world of "America's Shakespeare," Edgar Allan Poe. The brilliant but troubled writer is credited with mastering the genre of science fiction, detective fiction, and the horror story, in addition to creating mesmerizing poetry and establishing the format of the short story. The legendary author of The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher grew up in Richmond, and considered himself a Virginian wherever his travels led him. Take a poetic journey back in time with HCTV's Southern Man of Mystery: Edgar Allan Poe.

Maude F. Trevvett was a primary teacher in Henrico County Public Schools for 46 years. At age nine she and her family emigrated from Leicester, England and settled in the village of Glen Allen. Trevvett began her teaching career in 1892 at Yellow Tavern School, followed by Laurel, and eventually Glen Allen School. She taught as many as three generations of Henrico students and left a permanent mark on the Glen Allen area. In 1958, Henrico officials acknowledged her dedication to Henrico by naming a new school in the Brookland district "Maude Trevvett Elementary School."

Virginia Estelle Randolph was a pioneer educator in Henrico County during the 19th and 20th centuries. Her innovative ideas and vocational curriculum termed "The Henrico Plan" was adopted throughout the south and internationally. Randolph made remarkable strides in African-American education during an unsettled time in our history. Join HCTV as we look inside the life of Virginia Estelle Randolph, and learn how her legacy lives on today.

Virginia is known as the Mother of Presidents for good reason: more United States presidents hail from this great state than any other. Virginia has produced eight U.S. presidents, including Washington, Jefferson, Monroe, Harrison, Tyler, Taylor and Wilson. Each played a vital role in the formation of our country and our democratic form of government. These insightful and experienced leaders guided our country through times of war and peace, and helped shape the United States of America.