Oak Row and Elm Row dormitories

Stop for a minute to hear this complete narrative.

The historical buildings situated on the Davidson College campus are known as Oak Row and Elm Row. These small brick structures hold a significant place in the college's history, as they were constructed in 1836, just before the arrival of the first students. These buildings are located on the campus's original quadrangle. Today, these buildings serve as spaces for meetings and classrooms.

In March of 2023, the President of the college announced a meaningful initiative to commemorate and honor the enslaved and exploited individuals whose labor contributed to the construction of the institution. A notable memorial in the form of a bronze sculpture, depicting two large, weathered hands, will be prominently erected on the lawn near the Oak and Elm buildings. This memorial will be visible from Main Street, serving as a reminder of the college's complex past.

The enslaved individuals who played a crucial role in producing the bricks for Davidson College's initial structures, tending to its land, and serving its faculty and students went unrecognized for their labor. Even after the Civil War, their lives remained intertwined with Davidson as its leaders supported Jim Crow laws, which denied them voting rights, property ownership, and equal education. While Davidson cannot fully atone for this dark history, the college believes that these public efforts will serve as another step towards reconciling with the past and acknowledging the contributions and injustices endured by these individuals.

Continue on the Main Street sidewalk.

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