Last updated: November 12, 2024
Article
River View Farm (Albemarle County, Virginia)
African American Civil Rights Network
River View Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia is a surviving example of a historically African American community in the region. The farm has roots that stretch to emancipation and is representative of the African Americans’ efforts to acquire property following the Civil War. The Carr and Greer families that owned the farm were important leaders in the local African American community.
Shortly after the end of the Civil War, Hugh Carr, a formerly enslaved man purchased the first 58 acres of what became River View Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia. Carr and his wife, Texie Mae Hawkins, continued to accumulate property and by 1890 they held more than 125 acres, making the Carr family the largest African American landowners in the county at that time. The Carrs had several children including Mary Carr. Over time, Mary and her husband Conly Greer grew the farm to approximately 200 acres.
Mary Carr, and several of her siblings became educators. Mary taught at Albemarle Training School, the only post-elementary school for African Americans in Albemarle County until 1951 and served as its principal for 20 years. As principal, Mary worked with Luther P. Jackson, a scholar and civil rights leader, to mobilize African American voters in Albemarle County. Conly became the first African American agricultural extension agent in Albemarle County and served in that role for approximately thirty-five years. As extension agent, Conley educated African American farmers in Albemarle County on farming best practices and led a leadership and skills program for African American youth.
River View Farm became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2023.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.
River View Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia is a surviving example of a historically African American community in the region. The farm has roots that stretch to emancipation and is representative of the African Americans’ efforts to acquire property following the Civil War. The Carr and Greer families that owned the farm were important leaders in the local African American community.
Shortly after the end of the Civil War, Hugh Carr, a formerly enslaved man purchased the first 58 acres of what became River View Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia. Carr and his wife, Texie Mae Hawkins, continued to accumulate property and by 1890 they held more than 125 acres, making the Carr family the largest African American landowners in the county at that time. The Carrs had several children including Mary Carr. Over time, Mary and her husband Conly Greer grew the farm to approximately 200 acres.
Mary Carr, and several of her siblings became educators. Mary taught at Albemarle Training School, the only post-elementary school for African Americans in Albemarle County until 1951 and served as its principal for 20 years. As principal, Mary worked with Luther P. Jackson, a scholar and civil rights leader, to mobilize African American voters in Albemarle County. Conly became the first African American agricultural extension agent in Albemarle County and served in that role for approximately thirty-five years. As extension agent, Conley educated African American farmers in Albemarle County on farming best practices and led a leadership and skills program for African American youth.
River View Farm became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2023.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.