The Farmville-Prince Edward Historical Society invites everyone to join them for their February meeting at The Robert Russa Moton Museum.

2/15/22 at 7:00pm

The Life & Legacy of Phillip Ward presented by Dr. Letoshia Foster, Longwood University – Professor of History

Join us as we discuss the life and legacy of Phillip Ward. Mr. Ward was born into slavery in Amelia County, on the plantation of Charles Farmer. In an account later shared with WPA interviewers in the 1930s, Philip Ward described an encounter with Union Army soldiers in the last days of the Civil War. His family lived, he recounted, “in a log cabin at the foot of a hill, out in a field nearby some thick woods.” Through those woods, one day, appeared a long column of Yankee soldiers. “Then this big general,” he recalled, “all dirty, with a thick beard covering most of his face, come up to the plantation house and tell our master and missus that he was going to stay there.” That general, he later found out, was none other than Ulysses S. Grant. Farmville in 1884, Philip Ward was hired as a cook. He quickly worked his way up to the position of head chef and by 1898, his son Charles joined him in the kitchen. In 1934 Mr. Ward was honored during the 50th Anniversary of the school and was presented with an honorary degree during a special ceremony. Although he retired in 1940, the legacy of Philip Ward continued at Longwood through his son Charles, cook and head baker at the school for over 50 years. As well, his grandson Phillip, who worked in the school kitchens from 1945 until his death in 1971, was known for his massive cakes made to celebrate special occasions.