#chasecity

Nestled in the woods behind an Exxon gas station in Boydton are the remains of the original Randolph-Macon College, which was founded in 1830 by the Methodist Church. While the school established itself as a Methodist institution, all denominations were allowed to attend. This was partially a pilgrimage site for two students and a professor of Randolph College (formerly Randolph-Macon Woman’s College), but once the institution moved to Ashland, Virginia, in 1868 following the Civil War, the Freedmen's Bureau was housed to aid recently freed slaves. The Boydton Academic and Bible Institute also set up at the site between 1878 to 1935. All that remains of the original Randolph-Macon and the Boydton Academic and Bible Institute at 170 Jefferson Street are the Hellensha Cottage and the main college building, though they have clearly been victims of the elements. This site matters not only to students of Randolph College and Randolph-Macon College, but also applies to all Americans. It is a sliver of history of the Reconstruction period in the South and is a part of the narrative for African-American education. If you do venture to the site, be mindful of tall grass areas that may contain ticks and other pesky insects, especially in the Summer months. We found out the hard way...

On our way to Boydton, driving through the middle of nowhere, we stumbled upon a site of importance to African American history and our research. “Honoring a legacy” as the site’s motto says, The Thyne Institute Memorial in Chase City is taking steps in the right direction to do just that. The Thyne Institute was founded as a faith-based African American school with only 25 students to start. The school grew to have students from many areas in Virginia and even across the United States. In 1914 the school was accredited by the Virginia Department of Education. It continued to thrive as an African American institution for years even after the Mecklenburg County Schools purchased the school in 1946. It actually reached its peak enrollment in 1950 with 650 schools. This was the very first high school in the county to reach 12th grade accreditation status. The school changed its services in 1952 and began to operate as an elementary school for the county. Sadly in 1970, the original building, Wilson Hall, was torn down to make way for a new elementary school that still stands today. That is why the beautiful memorial we saw was built in 2006 to honor the school and its legacy.

No matter how well the legacy is remembered today, there is an important question to ask ourselves. Why in the desolate area of Chase City did this building have to be torn down to build the new school? Could they not have found another site instead of destroying this important piece of local African-American history? It is interesting to ponder how times have changed in the past fifty years. What would be done with the building today if it were still standing? We will never know.

All of the incredible information about the Thyne Institute was found in the Historically Black Schools of Mecklenburg County, VA brochure. The address to this important, yet tucked away site is 5188 Highway 47, Chase City, VA 23924.