Sweet Briar College

Sweet Briar College is a women's college in Sweet Briar, Virginia, that covers roughly 2,840 acres (1,150 hectares) of land. The grounds include riding trails, greenhouses, an apiary, and several Georgian Revival buildings.

Indiana Fletcher Williams founded the college in 1901 on her family plantation, and the first Bachelor of Arts was awarded in 1910. From 1966 onward, the institution opened admissions to African American students.

The campus takes its name from a wild rose species that grew on the former plantation grounds and still colors the meadows in late summer. Many buildings follow the Georgian Revival style with white columns and red brick, creating the image of a traditional Southern college.

The grounds are best explored on foot or by bicycle, as paths cover wide stretches of land. Most buildings sit near a central area from which visitor routes branch out in different directions.

The engineering program holds ABET accreditation, making this one of only two women's colleges in the United States with that recognition. The student-to-faculty ratio stands at eight to one, and nearly all students receive some form of financial support.

Location: Virginia

Inception: 1901

Founders: Indiana Fletcher Williams

Industry: higher education

Address: 134 Chapel Drive, Sweet Briar, VA, 24595-9998

Website: https://sbc.edu

GPS coordinates: 37.55390,-79.08000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:44