2-949-859 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Diploma awarded to William A.Yancey by Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, June 12, 1873. Hampton Institute in Virginia was founded in 1868 as Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School. It was established by black and white leaders of the American Missionary Association after the US Civil War to provide education to freedmen. It later became Hampton University. 'The Trustees and officers...hereby certify that William A.Yancey has completed, with credit, a [three?] years' course of instruction in this Institution, and they hereby recommend him as competent to teach a Graded school. In testimony whereof, the undersigned have affixed our signatures...[illegible] President Board of Trustees, Principal'.