History
James Abbott Fishburne, born in Waynesboro, Virginia, was an honor graduate of Washington College. He taught at Horner Military Academy, Abingdon Male Academy, and several other schools, and also attended Union Theological Seminary for one semester. Inspired by Robert E. Lee, he opened what eventually was to be called Fishburne Military School in 1879 with 24 students. It was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1897. Professor Fishburne died on November 11, 1921.
The first section of the wooden barracks (now called the front parapet) was built in 1883. Staunton architects T.J. Collins & Sons designed the 1916-22 barracks complex, the 1915 library (Virginia's second Carnegie library), and the 1940 gymnasium/administrative building.
Colonel Morgan H. Hudgins, the school's second great leader, began teaching in 1901 and served as Principal/Superintendent from 1912 to 1952. In February 1919, the school adopted one of the nation's first Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs.
The Fishburne-Hudgins Educational Foundation, named for the school's two early leaders, was organized by alumni in 1951 to acquire and perpetuate the school. The Foundation's Board of Trustees continues to oversee the operation of the school.
Campus
The 1916 Gothic Revival barracks was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 4, 1984 (Ref# 84000058). [3] It is the center of the Fishburne campus and dominates downtown Waynesboro as it sits on a hill overlooking the school's parade and athletic field. The barracks building is constructed in the form of an open, three-floor rectangle with cadet rooms, some offices, and classrooms facing the open Quadrangle. Attached to the barracks is a wing containing the chapel above the mess hall which is above the swimming pool.
Attached to the barracks by a breezeway is the administrative/gymnasium building. The most recently occupied campus building, sitting on the southeast corner, is Hobby-Hudgins Hall, combining a modern computer center and library with physical education facilities including locker rooms and weight room.
Hitt-Millar Fieldhouse, the 23,000-square-foot, $4.5 million building built in 2019, is the new home of the school's physical-conditioning program, with a full basketball court, weight-training facilities, coaches’ offices, a fully equipped trainers' room and a multi-purpose conference area.
The project was made possible through generous donations from the Hitt and Millar families. Russell Hitt, FMS Class of 1953, a long-time supporter of Fishburne Military School, joined with his daughter, Tracey Hitt Millar, and her husband, Jim Millar, to provide the $4.5 million donation to fund construction.
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