Dr. William H. Hughes was a highly regarded African American physician and community leader based in Richmond, Virginia, whose work extended far beyond the field of medicine. Born in the mid-19th century, Hughes rose to prominence through his contributions to public health and his dedication to the well-being of Richmond's Black community. He earned respect not only for his expertise in medicine but also for his active role in addressing social issues, particularly those affecting African Americans in the Jim Crow South.

A graduate of Virginia State University and attendee of the Shaw University Medical School and various European schools before interning at Howard University's Freedman's Hospital. After becoming the first surgeon of the Freedman's Hospital, he moved to Richmond where in 1915, he commissioned local Black architect, Charles T. Russell to design and build this home; with his office located at 516 N 2nd St. For his works with the Urban League, NAACP, and Virginia Interracial Commission, he was honored with an honorary law degree from his alma mater, Virginia State University. 

During the 1918 influenza pandemic, Dr. Hughes was one of the key medical figures in Richmond, guiding the city’s African American population through one of the deadliest public health crises in history. He was known for his tireless work in ensuring that his community had access to medical care when hospitals and resources were overwhelmed. His leadership during this time, as well as his work in preventing and treating various diseases, solidified his reputation as a capable and caring physician.

Dr. Hughes was also closely associated with notable African American figures in Richmond, including civil rights leader Maggie Walker. He served as Walker’s personal physician and provided care to her throughout her life. His medical practice was deeply rooted in the Jackson Ward neighborhood, a hub of African American culture and progress in Richmond. His home, a beautiful Georgian Revival-style residence on St. James Street, became not just a family residence but a symbol of the Hughes family's success and influence within the community.

In addition to his medical contributions, Dr. Hughes was a prominent member of the Black professional class in Richmond. His work was integral to the growth and development of Jackson Ward, an area that was home to many African American professionals, business owners, and activists during the early 20th century. Hughes’ legacy is immortalized not only in his contributions to medicine but also in the cultural and historical significance of his family’s home in Jackson Ward, which stands today as a testament to his life's work. The Hughes House continues to symbolize the strength, resilience, and community spirit that characterized the neighborhood during a time of profound social and racial challenges.

He was a member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church.

After his death, his home was used as the Virginia Commission for the Blind Training Center (Colored) and later was a center for the Richmond Community Association Program (R-CAP).

Peter B. Ramsey, born in Petersburg, Virginia, was a pioneering figure in the field of dentistry. After completing his studies at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee, Ramsey returned to Richmond in 1888, where he established his dental practice at 102 W Leigh Street, becoming the first Black dentist to practice in Virginia. He resided at 115 E Leigh Street and was married to A. E. V. Ramsey, a trained nurse. Ramsey was also a prominent community leader, serving as an executive for the Negro Reformatory Association of Virginia and sitting on the Board of Directors for the Mechanics Savings Bank. A Knight of Pythias and a Mason, Ramsey’s involvement in various fraternal and civic organizations highlighted his commitment to both his profession and the upliftment of African Americans in Richmond. He was the father of Dr. J. Mercer Ramsey, continuing his legacy in the medical and dental fields. Ramsey passed away in 1914, leaving behind a lasting impact on the Richmond community and the profession of dentistry.

Born in Tennessee and raised in Oklahoma and Richmond, this notable physician and community leader made significant contributions to both the medical field and local organizations. He was educated in the Richmond Public Schools, graduating from the Richmond Colored Normal and High School in 1900, and went on to earn his medical degree from Leonard Medical College, later completing post-graduate work at the University of Chicago. As a practicing physician for over 30 years, he established his practice at his home at 316 E Clay Street in Richmond. He became a respected figure in the medical community, serving as the medical director at Richmond Community Hospital and earning the title of Dean of Black Physicians.

In addition to his medical career, he was deeply involved in business and civic affairs. He was a founding member and vice president of the Virginia Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, as well as vice president of the Mechanics Savings Bank. His leadership extended to the Tuskegee U.S. Veterans Hospital in 1924, where he was appointed medical director, though he declined this offer and chose to remain in Richmond. He was also an active member of several organizations, including Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Capitol City Lodge Masons, the Shriners, the Williams Lodge of Elks, the Astoria Beneficial Club, and the Knights of Pythias. Married to Lelia E. Roane in 1907, he was survived by his wife and legacy. Upon his death in 1938, he left $100 bequests to the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, the Afro-American Old Folks Home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the Richmond Community Hospital, reflecting his lifelong commitment to community service and support for local institutions.

David Arthur Ferguson, a pioneering African American dentist, made significant contributions to the field of dentistry and the professional advancement of Black medical practitioners in the United States. Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1875, Ferguson moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1899, where he opened his dental practice at 107 E Leigh St. He became a key figure in the development of Black dental organizations, recognized as the dean of the Black dental group by the Peter B. Ramsay Dental Society. Over his career, Ferguson was a founding member and president of the Tri-State Dental Association, and the first dentist to hold the presidency of the National Dental Association in 1918. He was also a leader in the National Medical Association, advocating for the equal treatment of Black medical professionals, including dentists, in the military during World War I.

Ferguson’s career was marked by his advocacy for professional recognition and his efforts to advance the status of African American dentists. In addition to his local practice, he was instrumental in the formation of several regional and national organizations, including the National Association of Colored Dentists and the Inter-State Dental Association. He was also an active member of Richmond's social and political community, speaking out against racial discrimination and supporting Black rights. Ferguson was involved in multiple civic organizations, including the St. Philips Episcopal Church and the Knights of Pythias. He continued his dental practice until his death in 1935, leaving behind a legacy of leadership in both the dental profession and the African American community.

Richmond Community Hospital holds a significant place in Richmond's Black history as a pioneering institution that addressed systemic inequities in healthcare access for African Americans. Founded in 1903 by Dr. Sarah Garland Boyd Jones and Dr. Miles B. Jones, along with other notable Black physicians, the hospital emerged as a response to the exclusionary practices of white-dominated medical facilities. Initially located in a 50-bed facility in Jackson Ward, a historically Black neighborhood, the hospital was created to provide African American patients with quality care and to train Black medical professionals in an era of pervasive segregation.

By the mid-20th century, Richmond Community Hospital had moved to a new address in the city's Northside and continued to be an essential institution in the Black community, both as a medical center and a symbol of self-sufficiency and resilience. Despite its importance, financial challenges and systemic discrimination in healthcare funding posed persistent obstacles. In 1980, the hospital relocated to a larger, state-of-the-art facility in the city’s East End to continue its mission of serving underserved populations. Eventually, to secure its future, it became part of Bon Secours Health System, ensuring the continuation of its legacy.

St. Philip Hospital served as the segregated facility within the greater Medical College of Virginia (MCV) system, exclusively providing care to Black patients during the era of Jim Crow. Unlike white patients, who were treated at the Dooley Hospital, Black patients could only receive medical attention at St. Philip. The hospital was staffed by Black nurses who were being trained at the adjacent St. Philip School of Nursing, one of the few institutions offering professional nursing education to African Americans in Virginia. These nurses played a dual role, providing critical care to their community while navigating the challenges of segregation, such as limited resources and systemic inequities.

The St. Philip School of Nursing, one of Virginia's first African American nursing schools, played a pivotal role in shaping healthcare for Black communities and addressing racial disparities in education and healthcare. Operating from 1920 to 1962, the school graduated 688 nurses, many of whom went on to break barriers in a segregated healthcare system. Alumnae recall the inequities they faced, including inadequate resources, exclusion from certain training opportunities, and discriminatory treatment. Yet, these challenges fostered resilience, innovation, and a commitment to excellence that left a lasting impact on the nursing profession.  

St. Philip nurses not only excelled professionally but also contributed significantly to their communities. Their achievements were recognized during a commemorative event marking 50 years since the school's closure, where alumni and faculty celebrated their legacy. Stories shared highlighted the critical roles these nurses played, such as bridging gaps in healthcare access for African Americans and mentoring future generations of healthcare professionals.  

Despite the progress made, the discussion underscored the lingering effects of systemic racism. Speakers noted that fewer African Americans are represented in nursing programs today than when St. Philip was active. Efforts to improve diversity, including partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities, aim to address this disparity. The event closed with a call for continued dialogue and action to build a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system, carrying forward the legacy of St. Philip nurses.

The Richmond Almshouse, built in 1860–61 in the Italianate style, has a complex history tied to its role as a resource for marginalized communities, particularly African Americans. Originally designed as a facility for the city's poor, it included multiple buildings such as the Main Building, the West Building (added in 1908), and a garage. The West Building served as the Colored Almshouse, replacing an earlier facility established in 1868 on grounds now part of the Hebrew Cemetery Annex. This site also included the City Hospital for Smallpox and a portion of the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground, emphasizing its historical connection to African American lives and struggles in Richmond. The new Colored Almshouse expanded its purpose by housing a charity hospital for African Americans in addition to providing shelter for the impoverished.

During the Civil War, the Almshouse served as Confederate General Hospital No. 1, where Union and Confederate soldiers, including the sick and wounded from major battles, were treated. Although its wartime role was significant, the building’s postwar use continued to highlight its importance to African Americans. After the Civil War, the old City Hospital on Fourth Street was repurposed as the city’s first segregated Colored Almshouse, marking the formal separation of white and Black patients. In 1908, likely prompted by reforms advocated by the newly established State Board of Corrections and Charities, the Richmond city council approved the construction of a new "Colored Almshouse" for the city's impoverished Black residents. This two-story brick structure, now known as the West Building, was erected immediately to the west of the main Richmond Almshouse building, and the former City Hospital building, which had previously served that function, was demolished.

Renamed the Richmond Nursing Home in the 20th century, the Almshouse continued to serve the city’s disadvantaged populations until the 1970s. Today, it operates as a privately managed residence for low-income individuals, maintaining its historical legacy as a resource for the underserved, particularly African Americans, in Richmond.