Red Rose

An audio telling by John Burton of the Farmville-Prince Edward Historical Society can be found here.

The story of another professor who still resides on Longwood’s campus is that of Dr. Joseph Jarman. Understandably, Jarman haunts the building which is named after him, Longwood’s theatre. He was Longwood’s president from 1942 to 1946, and apart from his love for the theatre, he was known for the red rose he wore on his lapel and his booming singing in church services.

It has become Longwood tradition that before each opening night a single red rose and a program for the show fill Jarman’s favorite seat in the auditorium. After each show, the rose has disappeared. In cases where the rose has remained, crew members have reported higher than usual levels of technical difficulties, suggesting that perhaps Jarman was displeased with the performance.