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Guide To FarmvilleThrough strong leadership and vision, the officials of Prince Edward County, Cumberland County and the Town of Farmville have enriched the quality of the lives of their citizens. By carefully developing the local economy, while preserving their heritage, the people have created a community with a very promising future. HistoryPrince Edward County was formed in 1754 from Amelia County and named for Edward Augustus, son of Frederick, Prince of Wales. For over 100 years, the county courthouse was located at Worsham. Formed in 1748 from Goochland and named for the Duke of Cumberland, second son of King George II, the earliest call for independence came from Cumberland County, April 22, 1776. Over 200 years ago, there was only a ford across the Appomattox River between Prince Edward and Cumberland Counties, but this was the beginning of the future Town of Farmville. In February 1762, a bridge was completed across Rutledge's crossing; the settlement which grew up around the bridge was later founded as the Town of Farmville in 1798. The Town of Farmville was incorporated in 1912, and has served as the county seat since 1872. The Farmville area forms a part of America's proudest and greatest past. Patrick Henry, five-time Governor of Virginia, lived in Prince Edward County from 1786 to 1794 and served as Prince Edward's representative in the Virginia General Assembly. It was during that time that he delivered his famous "Give me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech. Hampden-Sydney College, located five miles south of Farmville, was founded on January 1, 1776. Hampden-Sydney College is the tenth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Chartered in 1839, Farmville female Seminary, presently Longwood University, was established in Farmville. Longwood was the first state teacher training college in Virginia. The Civil War, during its final stages was very close to Farmville. The last major battle of the war was on April 6, 1865, at Sayler's Creek, located on the Prince Edward and Amelia County lines. General Joseph E. Johnston, a noted Confederate, was born at Longwood House in Farmville, which is currently the home of the President of Longwood University. Navigation of the
Appomattox River and the expansion of the railroad contributed to the early
growth and prosperity of Farmville and surrounding counties and to its
establishment as a retail, agricultural and industrial center for Southside
Virginia. LocationLocated in the south-central section of Virginia, Prince Edward County is generally referred to as being in Southside Virginia. Four major cities (Richmond, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Petersburg) are about one hour's driving time away. Miles from Farmville to:Atlanta 480 Baltimore 220 Charlottesville 65 Lynchburg 49 New York 403 Norfolk 149 Philadelphia 329 Richmond 63 Roanoke 102
Washington 171 ClimateThe climate in the Farmville area is relatively mild and temperate with short periods of high temperatures in the summer and occasional low temperatures in the winter. Snowfalls are infrequent and generally of overnight duration. The spring and fall seasons provide extremely pleasant weather. WFLO Radio Station in Farmville, the weather reporting site for the past 30 years, provides the following statistics: Annual AverageRainfall 43.2" Snowfall 16.1" Temperature 56.7°F January 37.7°F July 77.7°F
Prevailing Winds Southwest Area & PopulationTown of FarmvilleArea 6.6 Sq. Miles Population 6,845 (2000) Cumberland CountyArea 292 Sq. Miles Population 7,825 (2000) Prince Edward CountyArea 357 Sq. Miles Population 19,720 (2000)
(U.S. Census Data) Local EconomyThe Farmville area has a strong, diversified economy. Manufacturing industries include carbon brushes, shoes, felt textiles, wood products and apparel. The Town of Farmville serves as the hub of retail and commercial activity for an eight-county region in central Virginia and has a service market area in excess of 100,000 people. Total taxable retail sales in the town of Farmville in 2002 were $305 million. The market value of agricultural products sold in 1993 was an estimated $10 million, with tobacco, dairy, beef, grains and forest products being the major agricultural components of the county’s economy. FinanceThere are six banks with branches in Farmville. Prince Edward County, Cumberland County and the Town of Farmville all have industrial development authorities which issue revenue bonds. Farmville Area Chamber of CommerceThe Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce exists to improve the quality of life of those living and doing business in the community by working in partnership with its members and local government. Focusing leadership on challenges and opportunities, the chamber strives to empower individual business and the collective entrepreneurial community to fulfill their financial and human potential. The Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce strives to be an advocate for the community’s best interests and a catalyst for achieving those goals which are best for its members and the greater community. Government InformationPrince Edward County and Cumberland County operate under the traditional form of county government with an elected Board of Supervisors, which employs a county administrator. The Administrator is directly responsible for the execution of County functions in the interim between meetings of the Board. Prince Edward is divided into eight districts with one Board member elected from each district. Cumberland has five districts with one member from each. The Town of Farmville, like all towns in Virginia, is a semi-independent political unit and it is a part of Prince Edward County and Cumberland County. Farmville operates under the direction of a Mayor, a seven-member council, and a Town Manager, who is appointed yearly by the Council. The Mayor is elected at-large and serves a term of four years. The Town is divided into five wards, with one council member elected per ward and two council members elected at-large. VotingA United States citizen, 18 years of age or older, may vote in all elections provided he is a duly registered voter in his county. For further information, please contact: General Voter Register, Courthouse Building, Farmville, Virginia 23901, (434) -392-4767. Guest FacilitiesThe Farmville area is well supplied with guest accommodations including motels, inns and guest homes. NewspapersThe Farmville Herald, founded in 1890, has a circulation of about 9,000. Serving the Town of Farmville and the Counties of Prince Edward, Cumberland and Buckingham. The Farmville Herald is published two times a week. The community is indeed fortunate to have a newspaper with the quality of reporting and publishing of The Farmville Herald. One daily Richmond newspaper is also available. RadioWFLO is located on the Cumberland Road just north of the Town of Farmville. WFLO FM operates 24 hours a day on a frequency of 95.7 megacycles with an effective radiated power of 50,000 watts. WFLO AM has been on the air since 1947 broadcasting during daylight hours on a frequency of 870 kilocycles with a power of 1,000 watts. WAMF, with offices and broadcast facilities on the Old Plank Road in Jackson Heights, is an AM station operating at 1490 kilocycles, with 1,000 watts daytime power and 250 watts for nighttime broadcasts. Founded in 1992, WXJK-FM is located just north of Farmville in Cumberland county. with a format of classic and new rock the station serves a large portion of the area’s population. Located at 101.3 on the FM Dial WXJK is owned and operated by David Layne. WXJK is on the air 24 hours per day with 6,000 watts of power. WVHL is the area's newest FM station, featuring a country music format. Operating 24 hours per day at 92.9 megacycles, the 6,000 watt station covers a 50 mile radius, the rural area between Richmond and Lynchburg. The office studio is located next to The Farmville Herald on North Street in downtown Farmville. TelevisionGood reception is received in the Farmville area from TV stations located in Richmond, Petersburg, Lynchburg and Roanoke. The three major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS), public broadcasting and cable channels are also available through a cable TV system franchised by the Town of Farmville. ChurchesOver forty churches, located throughout the Town and County, represent most denominations. Protestant, Catholic and Evangelical congregations all have places of worship and Jewish synagogues are available in nearby metropolitan area. MedicalSouthside Community Hospital, Inc., chartered in 1925, is a not-for-profit, charitable organization. The hospital, established in 1927, serves the residents of Amelia, Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward Counties. As the only full-service medical facility in an eight-county area, the hospital plays a significant role in South Central Virginia by providing quality, affordable health care to all residents. SCH’s mission is to improve the quality of life in the communities served by improving the health status of the community and each individual. Southside Community Hospital in Farmville is a 116-bed, full service acute care hospital which provides 24 hour emergency department, an intensive care unit, Same Day Surgery Center, obstetrical, gynecological services, pediatrics, physical, speech, occupational therapy, radiology, pathology and home health care. Rescue SquadThe Prince Edward County Volunteer Rescue Squad operates from its new permanent building on Doswell Street. This all-volunteer organization answers some 130 calls a month and travels about 20,000 miles annually. They offer a Squad Care program that covers participants for only uninsured expenses of medically necessary ambulance transportation. Membership costs only $25 per year per household. Cumberland County also has two volunteer Rescue Squads, serving the central and northern portions of the county. Fire ProtectionThe Farmville area has excellent fire protection with active departments in the Town of Farmville, Meherrin, Hampden-Sydney, Prospect, Rice and Cumberland Court House. Town Water & SewerFor service or information call the Treasurer of Farmville at 392-3333. Trash CollectionThe Town of Farmville maintains a trash and garbage collection service for residents within the town limits. To determine the days for your particular location, we recommend that you call the Town Shop at 392-3331. TelephoneService in Farmville, Prince Edward County, Buckingham County, an area in the Abilene section of Charlotte County, and the Southern portion of Cumberland County is provided by Sprint. The Farmville toll-free calling area includes the communities of Hampden-Sydney, Prospect, Cumberland, Arvonia, Buckingham, Dillwyn, Burkeville, Cartersville and Keysville. The service includes five exchanges for the Farmville area - 392/315/395/ 390/391/547/581/603/607/808/969/ 983. For information call 392-3121. ElectricityElectricity is furnished in the town and much of the county by Dominion Virginia Power. For service or information call 888-667-3000. Much of the rural area is served by Southside Electric Cooperative whose main office is located in Crewe. For information call 1-800-552-2118. TransportationLocal Bus ServiceThe Farmville Area Bus makes daily scheduled stops at designated areas all around the Town of Farmville and Longwood University. FAB also serves different regions of Prince Edward County (Prince Edward Rural Transit) Monday-Friday. For more information, please call (434) 392-7433. Greyhound Bus LinesSchedule daily runs through the county with inter-connections to all points. Greyhound also offers charter, freight, and express package service. The station is located at 204 East Third Street in downtown Farmville. AirThe Farmville Regional Airport is located approximately 4.5 miles north of Farmville in Cumberland County. Farmville Regional enjoys a paved 4400-foot by 75 foot runway, and facilities which include runway lights, a service hanger, administration building and parking lot. Farmville Regional Airport has NDB and GPS approaches and pilot controlled lighting sunset to dawn. The airport is operated by Heart of Virginia Aviation and is a full service fixed base operator. Computerized weather is available and AWOS on the field. Charter flights, air freight, air ambulance, flight instruction and plane rentals are among the services offered. HighwaysThree U.S. Highways serve Prince Edward County. U. S. Highway 460 is a major traffic artery traversing the entire northern portion of the county from east to west. North-south U. S. Highway 15 passes through Farmville and the center of the county. U. S. Highway 360 passes through the extreme southeastern part of the county and serves as a major access route to the State Capital. Route 45 connects Farmville to Cumberland C. H. and U. S. Highway 60, which is a major east-west route through Richmond. With four primary state highways and numerous secondary highways, there are over 500 miles of paved or improved roads service Prince Edward County. LicensesDriver’s permits, Virginia automobile licenses, and automobile registration forms may be obtained from the DMV office at 300 North Virginia Street in Farmville. It is open Monday- Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Town of Farmville or County license tags are required for each automobile owned by a resident. These must be obtained by April 15th of each year, or within 60 days of becoming a resident, from the Town Treasurer on the first floor of the Municipal Building or the County Treasurer's office in the Courthouse. Dog licenses may be obtained from the Treasurer of the County. Social SecurityThe new regional Social Security office is located at:
Social Security Administration The office is open Monday through Friday, except national holidays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They offer the full range of services related to Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and Medicare. State Lottery OfficeOne of the six statewide regional lottery offices is located in Farmville, in the Longwood Village Shopping Center, 1506 South Main Street, phone 434-392-7294, office hours 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Farmville office serves Central Virginia and provides service to retailers, customers and also validates winning tickets. Virginia Employment CommissionThe Virginia Employment Commission office is located in Farmville at 1705 East Third Street, with telephone 392-8871, and hours, 8:30 - 4:30, Monday-Friday. The office serves Farmville and the seven county area that is known as the Piedmont Planning District. The employment office is instrumental in matching people with jobs, and jobs with people. It also processes unemployment benefits. Administers training programs through the Workforce Investment Act. Educational FacilitiesThe influence of education is a dominant factor in the lives of everyone in the Farmville community. From preschool to college, the opportunities exist for residents to achieve the highest degree of academic accomplishment. Prince Edward County Public School SystemThe Prince Edward County Public Schools enroll 2,770 children in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Located on a 135-care campus on Zion Hill Road, just off Route 15 south of Farmville, Prince Edward County Elementary School, Prince Edward County Middle School, Prince Edward County High School and the Career and Technical Education Center are proud to serve the growing needs and population of the county and town. All three schools are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and have met state Standards of Learning, achieving provisional accreditation from the Virginia Department of Education. Prince Edward County Elementary School houses grades pre-K through 4 in a campus-style facility. The elementary school focuses on literacy development, technology and fine arts. All PECES pupils spend from 90 to 120 minutes every day on reading. An Accelerated Reading Lab and the school’s exceptional fine arts program are available to all pupils. PECES has four computer labs and computers in each classroom. Prince Edward County Middle School serves grades 5 through 8. The school features three computer labs and a library/media center. All grades at the Middle School operate on a modified block schedule, with 90 minute math and English classes and 45 minute classes for social studies, electives and exploratories. PECMS offers classes to meet a variety of student needs. Approximately 75 of the class of 200 students take Algebra and/or geometry in the 7th or 8th grade. Many students participate in Latin, Spanish, or German classes. Remediation classes are also provided for students who need to repeat the SOL tests. Completely remodeled in 1998, Prince Edward County High School boasts three computer labs, computers in all classrooms, and a new library/media center. The high school offers courses in English; French, Latin, German and Spanish; mathematics, including calculus; sciences, including anatomy, physics and advanced chemistry; history, government and social studies; Air Force Junior ROTC; physical education; art, journalism, photography, creative writing and music. The school offers a variety of Advanced Placement and dual enrollment classes. Each year, 12-14 juniors and seniors take part in the Governor’s School for Technology and Global Economics at Longwood University. Co-curricular activities, offered as classes for credit, include band, chorus, speech and drama, newspaper, yearbook, and debate. The high school sponsors a number of clubs and activities, including the ACE/Battle of the Brains team, debate and forensic teams, the Future Farmers of America, the chess and poetry clubs, the Outdoor Club, and a number of vocational and interest-related groups. PECHS competes athletically at the AA level and fields 23 varsity and junior varsity sports teams, including football, boys’ and girls’ basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, tennis, volleyball, golf, boys’ and girls’ soccer, baseball, softball, and game and competition cheerleading. The “Eagles” have won numerous district, regional and state competitions. The Career and Technical Education Center offers a wide range of classes in business and information technology, computer assisted drafting, auto servicing, electronics, health and medical sciences, family and consumer sciences, building trades, and agricultural education and horticulture. Student organizations, including the Future Business Leaders of America and the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, have won regional and state honors and competed nationally in skills competitions. Through the Southside Virginia Regional Technology Consortium, the CTE Center houses a two-way audio-video instructional classroom for distance learning. The CTE Center also sponsors an Adult Education Program, offering courses for those wishing to earn a GED. For further information, call (434) 315-2100 or read more about the schools on line at www.pecps.k12.va.us. Fuqua SchoolFuqua School is a college preparatory, pre-kindergarten through grade 12, independent day school, enrolling and transporting students from 13 counties in south-central Virginia. A strong curriculum and student-centered instruction ensure the highest quality education and foster individual development and self worth. Students are encouraged to put forth their best effort, show respect for one another, give service to the community, and take pride in themselves. With an average class size of 18 students, Fuqua School has been able to implement individualized courses of study. School-wide “continuous progress” instruction makes it possible for students to advance at their own pace without limitation. Lower School students (grades pre-kindergarten-5) learn in a multi-age setting. Middle School students (grades 6-8) benefit from a true middle school concept with emphasis on academic, emotional, and social growth. Upper School students (grades 9-12) attend classes in a 4 x 4 block schedule which allows for more comprehensive instruction within each discipline. Technology plays a vital role in instruction and communication and is integrated into all curricular areas. Every classroom at Fuqua School is equipped with at least 5 computers, a TV/VCR, and a laserdisc player. Through a network system, students can access word processing programs, reference materials, and the World Wide Web. These resources, along with distance learning, help Fuqua students develop the skills necessary for success in a global and technologically advanced society. For further information, please telephone 392-4131 or come by for a school tour. Fuqua School is located at Church and Catlin Street. Prospect Christian AcademyThe Prospect Christian Academy is located about 12 miles west of Farmville near the village of Prospect. PCA is a Christian School that utilizes the School of Tomorrow Program. This program includes all core subjects, i.e., Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Word Building, and computer as well as several electives, thus providing a well-rounded Christian education for all of our students. The program provides an education from Preschool through Grade Level 12 (including college preparatory). Extra curricular activities, such as educational field trips, athletic events, and State and International Student Competition are included in the Educational Program. PCA has been in operation since 1979 as a ministry of Prospect Gospel Tabernacle. It is the oldest existing Christian School in the area. Pastor Gary L. Stoots serves as Principal and upper-level supervisor. He and his staff work together to provide a high quality education based on Biblical principles. PCA’s theme is – Providing a Biblical education. Teaching young people how to live, as well as how to make a living. PCA looks forward to the opportunity to provide a quality Christian education to the children in the Central Virginia area. For further information or a school visit, call 574-6674. New Life Christian AcademyNew Life Christian Academy, founded in 1985, as a ministry of New Life Assembly of God, has recognized the community’s need for a wholesome, well-balanced, educational program founded on the person and work of Christ. The Academy is situated on a spacious 20 acre campus. Facilities include a gymnasium, cafeteria, soccer/softball field, school offices, a preschool, library and classrooms. NLCA has six multi-grade classes and uses both Abeka and Bob Jones curricula. The average number of students per grade is five (10 per multi-grade). For the year 2003-2004, the Academy will offer Kindergarten through eleventh grade with all teacher taught classes. Plans are to offer a twelfth grade 2004-2005. Sports teams at the Academy play volleyball, soccer and basketball in a Christian Conference that includes schools in Charlottesville, Halifax and the Piedmont area. The Administrator holds a Master of Arts degree from Longwood University and is currently working on her doctorate. Teachers hired by the school are either state licensed or are working towards state certification. The Mission Statement of the school is to provide opportunity for students to maximize their full potential in a Christ-centered environment, causing them to understand that they are unique beings created by god, born to be children of God, and called to be effective contributors in the home, church and community. For information, call 392-6236 between 9-3 or write 9 Mahan Road, Farmville, VA 23901. Longwood UniversityLongwood University Founded 1839With a legacy of learning dating back over 160 years, Longwood University has developed a meaningful learning environment that extends far beyond the classroom. Founded in 1839 as the Farmville Female Seminary Association, the school was a pioneer first in private and later in public education. The State of Virginia acquired the school in 1884 and renamed it as the Normal School, the first state institution of higher learning for women in Virginia. Over the years, the school expanded its curricula and had a succession of names, becoming Longwood College in 1949 and fully coeducational in 1976. On April 24, 2002, history was again made at Longwood when Governor Mark Warner signed legislation that designated Longwood as a university, effective July 1, 2002. The legacy that began in l839 continues today as Longwood University offers over 100 majors, minors and concentrations through its various academic programs. Given its historical roots, Longwood University enjoys an enviable reputation for teacher preparation. But the excellence has expanded throughout the university with strong programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business, professional and pre-professional programs. Today, the coeducational, comprehensive state university has an enrollment of over 4000 students and is comprised of three separate colleges plus a graduate division: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Economics, and the College of Education and Human Services. Under the leadership of President Patricia P. Cormier, Longwood is committed to developing citizen leaders and provides a meaningful learning environment where students learn skills, knowledge and theory and then translate learning into action by doing research, internships, field work and community service. Recognizing the value of experiential learning, Longwood is one of the few universities in the country to require all students to complete an internship or similar learning experience before graduation. Additionally, Longwood was the first institution in Virginia to require that every freshman have a laptop computer. Technology is integrated throughout the learning process—an essential element for preparing the leaders of tomorrow. The Longwood learning environment is enriched further by the library that holds 245,000 book titles, 2,100 print journal subscriptions, and some 100 electronic data bases including access to 11,000 full-text electronic journals and provides state-of-the-art technology for information retrieval from libraries throughout the world, as well as satellite reception of foreign programs and web access. Longwood students continue to rate their university as one of the most engaging in the country, according to results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). In the 2002 survey, seniors rated Longwood at or above the 80th percentile on 6 of the 9 NSSE benchmarks when compared with Masters institutions; freshmen rated Longwood at or above the 60th percentile on all 9 benchmarks when compared with Masters institutions. “Student Engagement with Technology” continued to lead the way at the 90th percentile or higher. The survey was developed by national assessment experts as an alternative to the U.S. News & World Report rankings, which are strongly influenced by resources and reputation. NSSE is sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and The Pew Forum for Undergraduate Learning. Additionally, Longwood University is one of only 20 “high performing” institutions nationwide selected to participate in the Documenting Effective Educational Practices (DEEP) project being launched by the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and the American Association for Higher Education (AAHE). Basically, the main purposes of the project will be to discover what practices enhance the learning process for college students and then to share that information with colleges and universities throughout the nation. Longwood was selected for the project because it was identified as an “educationally effective institution” based upon NSSE benchmark results and “promising persistence and graduation rates.” Additionally, the new U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Survey ranks Longwood with the 10th highest graduation rate (62 percent) among all master’s level universities in the South. Longwood provides leadership and services in the region and the state through the Longwood Small Business Development Center, the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston, and the Virginia Writing Journal—an award-winning publication that features writing, art, and photography by Virginia high school students. Additionally, Longwood University has a tremendous economic and cultural impact on Farmville and the surrounding communities. A recent study conducted by the Longwood Small Business Development Center estimates that university employees, students, and visitors spent over $100 million in 2001—with 54 percent of that amount being spent in Farmville and the eight surrounding counties. The Longwood campus, located in the heart of historic Farmville, Virginia, provides excellent facilities while reflecting the charm, beauty, and character associated with its long heritage. The University is rapidly recovering from the devastating fire of April 24, 2001 that destroyed several historic buildings on campus including the Ruffners, Grainger Hall, and the signature Rotunda building. A completely rebuilt Grainger Hall is scheduled to open by Fall 2003 and construction is underway on rebuilding the Ruffners and Brock Commons a beautiful pedestrian promenade that will provide a central focal point for the Longwood campus while eliminating traffic congestion and safety hazards. Plans are also underway for a new science building. The newest building on campus is the two-story, 60,000 square foot dining hall located on Pine Street that opened for the spring semester 2000. This multi-purpose facility, with its curved, colonnaded portico overlooking Iler Field, is the first on campus to utilize geothermal heating and cooling. The flexible interior design provides space for banquets, meetings, and special events along with a Grand Dining Room seating 500 and an arcade seating an additional 700. Behind and alongside this area are broad malls, lawns, 11 tennis courts, four athletic fields, an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, and numerous late-2Oth century buildings, including the library, residence halls, the Lankford Student Union, and various academic facilities. The campus has six auditoriums ranging in size from 150 seats to over 1200. Lancer Hall is a $4.5 million health, physical education, and recreation complex. It has a gymnasium with 3,000 seats; a complete weight-training laboratory; an Olympic-size pool with a three-meter board and underwater sound, lighting, and observation window; a 500-seat natatorium; a modern dance studio with a floating floor and staging capacity; and one of the state’s best-equipped laboratories for the study of human performance as it relates to exercise, sports, health, and the arts. Nearby, is a nine-hole golf course and Longwood Estate, the home of the President. Longwood University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelors and masters degrees. Other accreditation includes the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the Virginia State Board of Education, the National Association of Schools of Theatre, and the National Association of Schools of Music. Specific program endorsements include the undergraduate Social Work Program which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; the undergraduate Therapeutic Recreation Program which is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association in cooperation with the American Association for Leisure and Recreation; and the undergraduate Business Administration Program which is accredited by AACSB International. Finally, for the fifth year in a row, Longwood is ranked among the top regional public schools in the South in the 2003 U. S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” Guide. Hampden-Sydney CollegeHampden-Sydney College, founded in 1776, is an independent liberal arts college for men. The College is committed to the belief that a liberal arts education provides the best foundation, not only for a professional career, but also for the great moral and intellectual challenges of life. Hampden-Sydney offers 28 academic majors with programs for Pre-Law, Pre-Medicine, and a Dual Degree Program in engineering with Virginia Polytechnic Institute. The Fuqua International Communications Center provides state-of-the-art contact with worldwide TV transmissions, as well as computer and laser disc archives of great films, ballets, operas and reference works. Eggleston Library offers over 155,000 volumes and publications for students' research needs, and the Gilmer Science Laboratory is one of the South's finest centers, allowing students to participate in sophisticated research. Southside Virginia Community CollegeSouthside Virginia Community College is a part of the Virginia Community College System with campus locations in Keysville (20 miles south of Farmville) and Alberta as well as numerous off-campus sites. Established in 1970, the college offers a university parallel college transfer program and associate degree programs including engineering, technology, health and public service technology, business and information systems technology. SVCC also offers the complete program in Registered Nursing and Practical Nursing and other career training programs that include Truck Driver Training, Heavy Equipment Operation and Diesel Technician/Mechanic. In addition, the college has a Center for Business and Workforce Development that offers customized academic and vocational training programs for business, industry and public agencies. the college serves a ten-county service area that includes Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland and Prince Edward Counties. the mission of the college is dedicated to the belief that all citizens should be given an opportunity to acquire an educational foundation that develops and extends their skills and knowledge. The college serves about 7,000 students per year, offers a competitive tuition and provides financial aid assistance to many qualifying students. RecreationRecreational activities of a remarkably wide selection are available in Prince Edward county and surrounding Southside Virginia. Every season offers a selection of enjoyable choices for individuals of all age groups. The Farmville and Prince Edward County Recreation Departments offer a wide variety of recreational programs, to include: adult volleyball; adult basketball; men’s, women’s, and co-ed softball; youth football and numerous seasonal arts and crafts programs for adults and youth. Summer programs are offered cooperatively with numerous agencies within the county. Call 392-5054 for more information about these programs. The Prince Edward/Farmville Youth Association has recently completed their “Field of Dreams” complex just west of Farmville. This complex features five lighted playing fields and parking for 250 cars. The PEFYA provides sports programs to over 700 area youngsters including spring and fall soccer, girls’ softball, baseball and basketball. Grove Street Park has a summer program sponsored by the Farmville Junior Women's Club with some financial assistance by local civic clubs. The program is open to the public for children ages four through nine, during the month of July. Under supervision of a director and four assistants, the children are engaged in arts and crafts, social activities, and picnics. The Prince Edward Recreation Center also has a supervised summer program on South Main Street in Farmville. It is supported by public and private donations. The program is open to all children from ages seven to sixteen and provides many activities ranging from organized games to athletics and with focus on learning situations. Longwood and Hampden-Sydney athletic facilities are available to the community when it does not conflict with a scheduled school activity. The facilities include tennis courts, soccer fields, gymnasiums, swimming pools, golf courses, etc. For the "spectator athlete", Longwood and Hampden-Sydney have gained national reputations in basketball, baseball, and soccer, football in their divisions. Only short distances away are the universities of the Atlantic Coast and Sunbelt Conferences. Prince Edward County is situated in the center of an area served by three of Virginia's State Parks. Twin Lakes State Parks is located in the eastern part of the county, and Bear Creek Lake, in Cumberland County, and Holliday Lake State Park, in Buckingham-Appomattox Counties, are located within 25 miles of Farmville. Swimming, boating, fishing and camping are available at all of the parks. Briery Creek Lake and Wildlife Area is located in Prince Edward County about 8 miles south of Farmville. The 845-acre lake is managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and stocked with largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish, crappie and bluegill. Wilck's Lake, located within the Town, is also a popular site for fishing, boating and picnicking. Approximately 50 miles south of Farmville is Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) covering 49,800 acres with 800 miles of shoreline. Sandy River ReservoirThe Sandy River Reservoir, the Farmville area’s newest lake, is a 740-acre impoundment stocked and managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The sport fishery includes largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. Public facilities at the reservoir include a double boat ramp with courtesy pier and a 150-foot fishing pier. Both of these facilities are handicapped accessible and plenty of paved parking is available. Other recreational facilities include Virginia Heartland and Briery Country Clubs. Both of these clubs have nine-hole golf courses, swimming pools, and clubhouse facilities. Of historical interest, Sayler's Creek Battlefield Park, Patrick Henry's home and the Appomattox Surrender Grounds are within 30 minutes of Farmville. Within one hour of Farmville, located in Charlottesville, are James Monroe's home, Ash Lawn Plantation, and Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. Also located in Charlottesville is the historic University of Virginia. Colonial Williamsburg is only a two hour drive from Farmville. Other recreational attractions within two hours of Farmville are King's Dominion Amusement Park, Wintergreen Ski Resort, Busch Gardens Theme Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Virginia Beach Resort and Washington D.C. are only three hours from Farmville. Lee’s RetreatFarmville is at the center of 26 stop driving tour connecting Petersburg to Appomattox and following the route of General Lee’s Retreat at the end of the Civil War. Visitors can tune their radios to AM 1610 at each stop and hear an interpretive radio message highlighting the events that happened at that site during Lee’s retreat. Cultural ActivitiesOne is surrounded by many cultural amenities within the Prince Edward — Farmville community. Outstanding college activities contribute greatly, as do local festivals and community events. All of these play an integral part in the rich quality of life that is available to residents of this community. Longwood University sponsors a variety of programs each year in the performing arts including The Christmas Dinner and Concert and the Chamber Music Series, which are very special events and unique to the area. Roy Clark, country music superstar, performs two benefit concerts every fall on the Longwood campus. Throughout the academic year, the Longwood Players present a series of plays, and performances by the Concert Choir, the Camerata Singers, the Jazz Band and The Longwood University Company of Dancers are presented for the pleasure of the student body and the members of the community. Lectures by well-known figures and a variety of educational programs are sponsored by academic departments and student organizations throughout the year to which the public is cordially invited. The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts offers a wide variety of quality exhibitions accompanied by educational programs such as lectures, gallery talks, workshops, seminars, and docent-led tours. The permanent Collection features 19th century American paintings, work by 20th century Virginia artists, contemporary crafts, and a study collection of paintings and decorative arts. Art exhibits in the Bedford Gallery, Bedford Art Building, feature the work of contemporary artists as well as work by Longwood students. Hampden-Sydney College also regularly sponsors a great variety of cultural and academic programs. The nationally-recognized "Hampden-Sydney Music Festival" brings musicians, students and audiences together for two weeks of concerts, each June. The student dramatics group, the Jongleurs, stages plays at regular intervals during the school year. Politicians, corporate executives, authors and other well-known public figures give lectures at Hampden-Sydney throughout the year. For over 25 years, the Waterworks Players have brought the magic of live theatre to area audiences and provided an artistic outlet for local actors, singers, designers and technicians. The Waterworks Players are happy to continue providing the best in community theatre from their new home on the outskirts of town, with plenty of safe, free parking and an adaptable multi-use facility. The "Heart of Virginia Festival" is an annual celebration, held in Farmville, each May. It is the site of one of the largest arts and crafts shows in Southside Virginia. Paintings and educational exhibits are displayed on the lawn of Longwood University, just one block from the downtown area, where the arts and crafts are presented. A 10-K race opens the festivities on Saturday morning, and an outdoor concert and fireworks show wind up the events on Saturday evening. The Heart of Virginia Festival, a non-profit, community sponsored celebration was first held in 1978 and has become one of the most popular attractions in the area, with crowds estimated at more than 25,000. LibrariesPrince Edward County has an abundance of library facilities available to the members of the community. The Farmville-Prince Edward Community Library is a combination of the old Farmville Public Library and the Farmville Reading Room. The purchase of the library building and its renovation originated through community efforts and financing. The library was dedicated in September, 1987 and has approximately 8,000 volumes. The Prince Edward County Public School Library has over 10,000 volumes of books, plus numerous periodicals, newspapers, and an extensive collection of film strips. A complete audio-visual department is available. The new $6.8 million Longwood University Library, with a two-story entrance hall flanked by columns, provides computer technology for information retrieval from libraries thought the world, as well as satellite reception of foreign programs. The Library has an online catalog and an online circulation system. It houses a collection of 900,000 print and non-print materials, the largest holdings available to the public in the Southside area. During the regular session the Library is open for scheduled periods totaling 100 hours a week. Eggleston Library at Hampden-Sydney College has over 150,000 volumes and periodicals specifically selected for undergraduate research. The Fuqua International Communications Center features short-wave radio, satellite television reception, video tape and laser disc television viewing, and a microcomputer lab. The library also has a large collection of children's books which are available to the community, as well as the Jones Rare Book Room with manuscripts, books, and first editions. The James J. Kilpatrick Library is maintained by Fuqua School and has over 14,000 volumes and periodicals. It is equipped with an audio-visual department to supplement its library and to present various information to classrooms. Local Points of InterestLongwood House,The birthplace of General Joseph E. Johnston, a noted confederate general, has been reconstructed on its original foundations and by the original plans. It now serves as the home of the President of Longwood University. Sayler's Creek Battlefield Park,Located on the eastern edge of the County, was the site of the last, and for the Confederate Army, the most disastrous battle of the Civil War. The Hillsman House,Used by both sides as a hospital during the war, has been restored and is open to the public during the summer months. Slate Hill,Home of Nathaniel Venable, was raided by Tarleton's British Calvary in 1781. The Slate Hill law office, in which the plans for the founding of Hampden-Sydney College were made, has been moved to the College's campus. Needham,Home of Chancellor Creed Taylor, who established Virginia's second law school in 1821, is located in Cumberland County, one mile north of Farmville on Route 45. High Bridge,A 100-foot-high, half-mile-long span which carried the Southside Railroad across the Appomattox River, was the scene during the Civil War of an unsuccessful Federal attempt to cut Lee's retreat route. The Confederates managed to cross it and then set it on fire in an attempt to hold back the advancing Federals; but they succeeded in extinguishing the blaze and pursued Lee's army. |
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