University of Richmond, Virginia, Campus History, Paperback For more than 175 years, the history of the University of Richmond has been linked to the history of the city of Richmond itself. These photographs tell the story of Richmond and a school founded by Virginia Baptists in 1830.It is the story of two campus locations with one unique mascot – the Spider. In 1914, on the site of an old amusement park, Gothic buildings emerged representing the search for knowledge among spires, vistas, and cloistered gardens. From urban to pastoral settings, these photographs record transitory moments as well as an enduring commitment to the city and education.