Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Washington and Lee University - Lee Chapel |
Description |
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college located in Lexington, Virginia. The university was descended from Augusta Academy, which was established in 1749. In 1776 it was renamed Liberty Hall and moved to Lexington in 1780 when it was chartered as Liberty Hall Academy and built its first facility near town in 1782. In 1796 George Washington endowed the Academy with its largest gift ever, $20,000 in stock. In appreciation the trustees renamed the school Washington College. Robert E. Lee was its president after the Civil War until his death in 1870, after which the school was renamed Washington and Lee University. The University is divided into three schools: The College where all undergraduate students begin their studies; the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics; and the School of Law. The school was all male until 1972 when women were admitted into the school of law. It wasn't until 1985 when female undergraduates were admitted, mainly because of the many female colleges offered in the surrounding area. Construction began on the Chapel in 1867 at the request of Gen. Robert E. Lee, who served as president from 1865 to 1870 of what was then Washington College. The simple Victorian design may have been proposed by his son, George Washington Custis Lee, and the plans and specifications were drawn up by Col. Thomas Williamson; both were professors in the engineering department of neighboring Virginia Military Institute. Built of brick and native limestone, the Chapel was completed in time for graduation exercises in 1868. Lee attended daily worship services here with the students and the lower level housed his office, the treasurer's office and the YMCA headquarters (student center). Lee died on October 12, 1870, and was buried beneath the Chapel. In 1883 an addition was made to the building which houses the memorial sculpture of the recumbent Lee by Edward Valentine and includes a family crypt in the lower level where the general's remains were moved. His wife, mother, father ("Light-Horse Harry" Lee), all of his children and other relatives are now buried in the crypt as well. The remains of his beloved horse, Traveller, are interred in a plot outside the museum entrance. |
Object ID |
1998.24.169 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Subjects |
Colleges Universities & colleges University Building Chimney Chimneys Chapels Spires Windows Lawns Sidewalks Men Men & women Men's clothing Women's clothing Brickwork Roofs Windows, Arched Tree Trees |
Search Terms |
Washington & Lee University Lexington, Virginia |
People |
Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward) Washington, George |
Collection |
Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Photograph Collection |
Imagefile |
013\199824169.JPG |
Number of images |
1 |