Richard Bland College

Bland College holds historical significance as well. Prior to the American Civil War, the property was a plantation owned by the Gurley family. During the war, the campus became a part of the Union-occupied territory and witnessed two battles—the Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road and the Battle of Globe Tavern. These battles aimed to extend the Union siege lines and capture the Weldon Railroad, crucial for supplying Petersburg. Additionally, around the time of these battles, the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, stayed at a tavern, the remains of which are located in the forested foliage of the modern-day campus.
In the early 1900s, the Hatcher-Seward family established a dairy farm on the former Gurley property, and a grove of pecan trees was planted, which would be an iconic part of the scenery for the future Richard Bland College. The land later served as a work camp for conscientious objectors during World War I. In 1932, the Commonwealth of Virginia authorized Central State Hospital to purchase …