The
Virginia Union University is the most famous educational institution for African Americans in the state. The university was also started keeping in mind the interests of the Afro-American community and their development. Although, the university was truly established in 1899 out of the merger of 2 old schools, university officials hold 1865 the year of foundation, when the Civil War had officially ended. It would not have been possible for the 2 schools to culminate into a large university, unless, it was not helped financially by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Today, the university might not be huge but it acquires no less than 84 acres of uninterrupted campus area in Richmond's North Side.
The
Virginia Union University, would not have seen the light of day if the American Baptists had not realized the need to educate and enlighten the poor slaves, newly freed. Through the National Theological Institute they enrolled several of these poverty-stricken men and women and led them towards education. The initial preparatory and high school level courses soon developed into full-time college courses and classes started in 1867. The college broke up into 2 separate branches, one in Washington D.C. And the other in Richmond and finally in 1899, these 2 branches merged to give rise to the Virginia Union University. Later on, the Hartshorn Memorial college for Women and the Storer College also merged with Virginia Union and expanded its ambit.
Today, the NCAA Division II basketball program of the university has spread its popularity far and wide across the US.
