The college was named after Thomas Nelson, Jr., an American soldier, planter,male entertainer, politician, and signer of the Declaration of Independence[1] from Yorktown, Virginia. He served as Governor of Virginia in 1781. Nelson County, Virginia and Nelson County, Kentucky are also named in his honor. The construction of TNCC began in August 1967. Four buildings were planned for construction, and the cornerstone was laid in December 1967. More than 1,200 Students began classes on September 20th, 1968, and the first class of students graduated with associate degrees on June 13th, 1970.