LEWISBURG (WVDN) – The New River Community and Technical College has become the continued legacy of education on the hill overlooking from the west of downtown Lewisburg, harking back to the days of Greenbrier College for Women.
On Friday, Oct. 14, the Greenbrier College for Women’s alumni association dedicated a Memorial Grove of Trees on the hillside just below the Greenbrier County Library. Easily accessed from the parking lot behind both the North House and the current college campus, this young grove of trees already provides a space for students to reflect and alumna to remember their time at the college.
Two informative signs flank the ascending staircase. On Friday, a gathering of Greenbrier College for Women alumna swelled to over 60 atop the stairs in a gracious seating area. Several local contractors participated in the construction three years ago – George Piasecki, Windy Knoll Nursery who provided stonework, and Riverbend Nursery.
All of the trees have become well established and Greenbrier Master Gardener Willa Voltz Izzo gave attention to the young trees, her family helping to water and protect the young starts.
Roger Griffith, the New River campus director and community outreach representative, stated that the rock shelf underlying the hillside had created this space between North House and the library and the creative design for this Grove has completely revitalized what previously had been unused space.
“It’s such a beautiful day to see these women back on campus,” he said during his remarks at the ceremony.
Mary Montogomery Lindquist led the group ceremony and introduced noteworthy attendees. Elizabeth Keyes was joined by five other staff from the women’s college stating, “We loved those girls.”
There was nothing but love and respect for the college which closed 50 years ago.
This same site of the current New River Community and Technical College was first occupied by the Academy in 1812, the first upper grade educational institution in the area. So, over 210 years of higher education has taken place at this location.
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| The entrance to the grove is from parking lot behind North House and flanked by beautiful signage that identifies and maps the garden, the rear side of the signage dedicates trees to students and faculty who are dearly remembered and honored. Carolyn Cleaton photo |
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| Signage indicating tree dedications in the grove. Carolyn Cleaton photo |
