At the time nothing suggested a professional school, college, or university in the area and on the building the sign read "Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

In the transition to becoming a public institution from 1925 to 1940, the school was one of the few "state-supported colleges" in the country operating almost entirely without state support.

[7] With the support from The College of William and Mary, it acquired 827 West Franklin Street (now known as Founder's Hall).

[10] When the Great Depression hit and RPI continued to receive no state support, the federal government stepped in to fill the gap.

Between 1943 and 1945 Clyfford Still, an important member of the developing world of Abstract Expressionism taught art, and furthered his own distinctive style painting dozens of new works.

[16] Not abiding to the traditional University system, RPI gained a reputation as a unique institution in conservative Virginia.

When George Oliver took over as president in 1959, he did not believe that RPI still needed the name recognition that William and Mary brought.

It's an exciting concept....an academic approach without precedent, VCU will become a name that will mean a great deal to you in years to come...as one of the leading educational institutions.

[23] From 1948 to 1963, RPI's sport teams were known as the Green Devils due to their affiliation with The College of William and Mary.

When RPI merged with MCV, the color scheme was changed to the current black and gold of Virginia Commonwealth University.