Fairmont State University Library: Fairmont State University History: Elizabeth Dickey Fleming

Lost Piece of History Delivered Home to Fairmont State

From left: Dr. Beth Newcome, Dr. Mirta Martin, Janet Hutchison, her son Nate Joachim, her husband Robert Joachim, Dr. Raymond Alvarez and Charley Hively on Sunday April 18, 2021 when Janet Hutchison and her family brought the painting to Fairmont State from their home in Virginia. Dr. Alvarez created the story boards, Dr. Newcome coordianted the historic costume items, and Charley Hively assisted with locating the display area, historical research and LibGuides set up for public access.

Elizabeth Dickey Fleming

The 1917 Journal of Elizabeth Dickey Fleming (handwritten)
Elizabeth came to Fairmont from Philadelphia in 1869 and found a half-finished building, muddy streets and a village of 600 people. Arriving after an arduous journey, she doubted the wisdom of her decision to teach here until she met the inspired Rev. William R. White. She was an early innovator and served as first principal in 1870. By 1879, she was named principal. When she served as principal through 1883, she became the first female principal of a state normal school in the U.S. She wrote a journal of those experiences in 1917.
Transcribed 1917 Journal of Elizabeth Dickey Fleming
This is the transcription of Elizabeth's 1917 reflections on early days of the Normal School.
About Elizabeth Dickey Fleming
This storyboard tells her story and early history of Fairmont Normal.
Col. Rufus and Elizabeth Dickey Fleming storyboard
This information provides background information on Col. Rufus Dickey and Elizabeth Dickey-Fleming.
Early Women Leaders at Fairmont Normal and Fairmont State
Presentation on significant contributions by early women leaders at Fairmont Normal and Fairmont State.

Col. Rufus Fleming
Virginia Fleming Mitchell

Flemings of West Virginia
WV State Archives
18 items from Col. Fleming can be found in the 6th West Virginia Cavalry (formerly 3rd West Virginia Infantry) (Field and Staff, Companies A - L)
Box 7, WV State Archives

Lt. Col. Rufus Fleming
Early period of Civil War enlistment; photographer unknown

Obituary of artist Virginia Fleming Mitchell
Artist Virginia Fleming, born in 1874, was 30 when she painted Elizabeth's portrait for the Alumni Association. She was daughter of Governor A. Brooks Fleming and Caroline Watson Fleming. Virginia was a cousin to Kathrine Fleming Hutchison. She died in 1965.