After a 2 hour drive out to Pawhatan, VA, I met up with a group of people gathered by John Plashal Photo for a “Day of Discovery”. A historical tour with insight from some of the alumni who attended the school. The main building was designed by Alexander Jackson Davis in 1845, the Gothic Revival architectural style was originally built for plantation owners by enslaved people. Then purchased by Katherine Drexel and her sister in the 1890’s, when the Belmead was transformed into a self sufficient school for African and Native american students. The schools were shut down in the 1970’s due to financial setbacks.
