Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions to access or use for research purposes.

Custodial History

These material have been collected on an ongoing basis by staff at the Greenwood Library and other offices and departments at the university.

Biographical / Historical

Longwood House is a historic home in Farmville, Virginia. It was originally owned by Scottish immigrant Peter Johnston who purchased it in 1765. The property was sold to Abraham B. Venable in 1811; following his death shortly thereafter in the Richmond Theatre fire, it was inherited by a relative, Samuel. The current house was built about 1815, and enlarged and remodeled about 1839. The site was the birthplace of two well-known Confederate officers: Johnston's grandson Joseph E. Johnston in 1807, and Samuel Venable's grandson, Charles S. Venable, in 1827.

Longwood House was purchased by what was then the State Teachers College at Farmville in 1929. Twenty years later, the school renamed itself Longwood College after the house. It has been used as the home of the university president since 1969.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

Scope and Contents

The materials in this collection pertain to the history and contents of the Longwood House as well as information related to the upkeep of the house by Longwood University. Additionally, there is information related to events that took place at the Longwood House after it was acquired by the university.