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WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITYLEXINGTON, VIRGINIAThe setting for this new building, to be located closer to town, wasdescribed as follows:The original site was admirably adapted forthe purpose for which it was intended. It is thehandsomest and most convenient section of one ofthe three low ridges on which the town of Lexingtonrests. Its crest line having at the South end a rightangle, gives a frontage in four directions, and beingsufficiently elevated, insures pure air and a wideoutlook. The observer may look from any part ofthe grounds upon such a scene as might naturallyexcite envy in the mind of a man from Harvard,Yale, or Johns Hopkins: but if he will ascend tothe top of one of the University buildings he willbehold a wider landscape which called forth fromthe lips of the accomplished Professor Farnum theexclamation: “If this scene were set down in themiddle of Europe the whole Continent would flockto see it.” 7Once again, the college was sited on an eminence with impressiveviews of the surrounding landscape and in full view of the town, aswell as those passing through (see fi gure 2).Figure 2: Rural view (Source: Lyle & Simpson, The Architecture of Historic Lexington.)7William Henry Ruffner, “Continuation of the History of WashingtonCollege,” in Washington and Lee University Historical Papers, No. 4(Baltimore, 1893), 7, quote in Loth “The Antebellum Architecture ofWashington and Lee University,” 6.2-4
PRESERVATION MASTER PLANOCTOBER 2005ESTABLISHMENT OF WASHINGTON COLLEGE:1804-1870The first two buildings in the development of Washington College,Graham and Union Halls, were constructed in 1804 on the ridge ofthe hill, facing the town of Lexington and at such a distance fromeach other to permit a center building to fit between. At the time ofconstruction, the buildings were situated approximately sixty yardsapart and this space was laid out as a bowling green. A steward’shouse, also completed in 1804, was located towards the base of thehill at the front entrance to the grounds. 8In 1807, minutes of the Board of Trustees indicated that a sum “not inexcess of thirty dollars be appropriated for the purpose of improvingthe Academy lot, planting necessary trees and filling up gullies andthat the same committee which was appointed by a former order torent the steward’s house, carry this into effect.” 9In 1813, an act of the Virginia legislature gave the Academy a newname and status, changing it to Washington College. Soon after, aperiod of prosperity brought greater transportation and commercialopportunities to Lexington, as well as an increase in population.In 1822, architect John Jordan of the firm Jordan and Darst wasawarded the contract for a building to be placed between Grahamand Union Halls. In the process of preparing for construction, brickmaking was undertaken on site, causing the ridge to be flattenedand terraced. 10 The “Center Building,” as it was first known, wascompleted in 1824, (and later known as Washington Hall); howeverits final form departed radically from the original plan offered tothe board of trustees in 1803. The final design was a three-storyClassical temple form with a large Tuscan portico. The lower storyof the portico was left open in contrast to the original plan, andrather than being placed on a podium, columns were built threestories high. Jordan had reportedly worked with James Dinsmoreat Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and brought his knowledge of theClassical Revival to Lexington.8Loth, “The Antebellum Architecture of Washington and Lee University,”11.9Minutes of Washington and Lee Board of Trustees, November 7, 1807.[Folder 13 of 7. Leyburn Library, Special Collections, Washington and LeeUniversity.]10Ruffner, “Continuation of the History of Washington College,” 92,quoted in Loth, “The Antebellum Architecture of Washington and LeeUniversity,” 11.2-5
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