Virginia Commission for the Blind

Virginia Commission for the Blind

Photograph by James Hill, courtesy of Virginia State Historic Preservation Office

Quick Facts

Location:

3003 Parkwood Ave. Richmond, Virginia

Significance:

Architecture, Health/Medicine, Social History/Disability History

Designation:

Listed in the National Register – Reference number 16000800

MANAGED BY:

Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2016, the Virginia Commission for the Blind building is significant for its architecture and association with Lucian Louis Watts for his work in the areas of Health/Medicine and Social Welfare. The building was designed by prominent Richmond architects J. Binford Walford and O. Pendleton Wright of Walford & Wright, Architect. The building served for some 40 years as the principal administrative offices for statewide services for the blind, as well as provided vocational training, an ophthalmological clinic, and a regional Braille and “talking machine books” libraries. The success of the school would not have been attainable without its significant associated with Lucian Louis Watts. Watts’ efforts and achievements in his life were addressing the social welfare of the blind population of the Commonwealth. Watts was acknowledged as a leader in demonstrating the ability of a state agency to deliver a wide range of services to blind adults and children. Watts was involved in the founding of state and national organizations for the blind, namely, the Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind (now Virginia Industries for the Blind), the Virginia Commission for the Blind (now the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired), and the American Foundation for the Blind. His work influenced educational and training opportunities for blind Virginians for more than 30 years, and his legacy has continued to the present day.