Roots Revealed: The Lost Heritage of College Campuses in Virginia
Shedding light on the roots behind the Hampton Roads area's best colleges
Nestled within a sprawling 260-acre campus, Christopher Newport University proudly stands among Virginia's most picturesque campuses. However, behind its scenic allure lies a history entangled in the controversial acquisition of land through eminent domain, an act that marginalized and displaced Black communities from their ancestral homes.
Before and After
CNU: 1959
This picture shows an aerial image of Newport News in 1959. There was an active Black community that was soon to be replaced by Christopher Newport University (City of Newport News).
CNU: 2023
This picture shows the same area in the present day. The Black communities have now been replaced by Christopher Newport University's Campus (City of Newport News).
According to the Daily Press, The old First Baptist Church Morrison as seen in June 2003. The church, which had served the black community on Shoe Lane, was torn down to make way for expansion at Christopher Newport University. (The Daily Press)
Aerial view of Christopher Newport University from 1967. In this image, some remaining houses belonging to African Americans can be seen in the upper left. (The Daily Press)
Aerial view of CNU's campus as of July 2019. In this image, new construction can be seen in the upper right, showcasing an ever-expanding campus (Daily Press).
In this image, a 1960s Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing map shows the plans for Old Dominion University (then called Old Dominion College) to expand into the Lamberts Point neighborhood in Norfolk, Virginia. (ProPublica)
