Virginia Randolph Museum

Saturdays, 12-4 p.m. and by appointment.

To schedule an appointment, please call (804) 652-1475 or email [email protected].

Historic Site

Restrooms

Virginia Randolph Museum
This brick structure built in 1937 was the home economics cottage for the Virginia Randolph Education Center. Virginia Randolph, an innovative African-American educator in vocational training, kept an office in this building during the latter part of her life. In 1970, this structure was dedicated as a museum in honor of Miss Randolph and is a National Register Landmark.

Virginia Estelle Randolph
Virginia E. Randolph was born in Richmond, Virginia, in May 1870, and was the second of four children to formerly enslaved parents. She attended Baker School, the first public school for black students in Richmond. At the age of 16 she graduated from Richmond Colored Normal School, now known as Armstrong High School. Virginia began her teaching career in Goochland County around 1890. She secured a teaching position with the Henrico County School Board at the one-room Mountain Road School in 1894. In October 1908, she became the first countywide Jeanes Supervising Industrial Teacher in the South. Henrico had more than 20 black schools, and Virginia traveled to each one weekly to assist teachers with curriculum and soliciting community support. The report of Virginia’s first year became known as the “Henrico Plan” and was distributed to Jeanes teachers across the south. 

Virginia was determined to raise the funds necessary to build an industrial arts high school in Henrico. After raising the money through private subscriptions and events, she purchased property in 1910 which was then deeded to the Henrico County School Board. In 1915, the Virginia E. Randolph Training School was named in her honor. Virginia E. Randolph retired in 1949 as the supervisor of black schools in Henrico County. Miss Randolph died in 1958 and is buried on the grounds of Virginia Randolph Museum. Learn more about Virginia E. Randolph