This program is brought to you by John Plashal Photo and Fred Schneider Photography. The beautiful Belmead on the James occupies approximately 2300 acres of land that is extremely rich in history and powerful in visuals. The abandoned mansion on the property that was originally designed in 1845 for an eventual Civil War Brigadier General will be the central hub for our afternoon of stories and tours. This gothic revival architectural masterpiece that later served as the centerpiece for the education of over 10,000 African Americans will be the beginning and ending point of our tour, which will also include visits to an 1841 granary, St. Edward's Cemetery, Memorial Circle, a piggery and the Historical Cemetery (which is the final resting place of over 100 enslaved individuals ).

Come join us on September 24th to fully experience the magical history of the Belmead on the James - from the early days of its occupation by the Cocke family into its tenure as the only African American Military Academy in the history of the U.S.  To make your experience extra unique, you will have a chance to meet some actual graduates of the historic St. Emma Military Academy, all of which will be sharing their amazing stories during their days as SEMA Cadets in the the 1960's and narrating a walking tour of the now demolished campus while reminiscing and sharing vintage images of yesteryear. Their stories and images from their years as students at St. Emma are sure to captivate you, deepen your appreciation for the history of the property and hopefully lend to the widespread recognition that the Belmead on the James deserves. 

Link to Greg McQuade's "I Have a Story" about saving St. Emma Military Academy

For those of you that are interested, an additional historical tour of the St. Francis de Sales School has been made available. SFDS School was founded in 1899 by Katharine Drexel, who not only dedicated her immense inheritance towards the education of African American students but also was posthumously canonized as a Saint forty-five years after her passing. This tour is separate from the Belmead Historical Tour, requires a separate ticket and begins once the Belmead Tour concludes. It involves a guided and narrated tour of the perimeter of the school and the chance to take a peek inside its beautifully derelict attached Catholic chapel. You will also get a chance to visit a separate long abandoned art classroom in addition to an old stone humpback bridge buried in the woods, the Nun Cemetery and the Children's Cemetery. Most importantly, there will be an alumnus from the school who will be present to share her stories from the school during her attendance in the 1960’s. This is a captivating and educational tour that you don’t want to miss!