History of Fishburne

Founded in 1879, Fishburne Military School is a private military school for young men, grades 7-12. The school is located in Waynesboro, Virginia on South Wayne Ave. It's founder, James A. Fishburne (1850-1921) was born and raised in Waynesboro. He attended Washington College (now Washington & Lee University) in nearby Lexington, VA. After finishing college, Fishburne pursued a career in education, and eventually decided to return to Waynesboro and open his own school. Fishburne Military School was incorporated into a non-profit under the Fishburne-Hudgins Educational Foundation, Inc. In 1916, famed architect T. J. Collins from Staunton, VA designed the facade that you see today.

Black History at Fishburne

• 1972 1st African American enrolled: Theodore J. Nicholas, III from Lexington, Virginia

• 1973 1st African American Waynesboro native: Page D. Napier

• 1978-1979 1st African American teacher/professor: Joseph E. Walker, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Senior Enlisted Instructor, Military Department

• 1981-1982 1st African American teacher/professor: Robert S. Shelton, History