Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Front Matter (PDF) 1.1MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Cover and Dividers (PDF) 1.1MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Chapter 1 (PDF) .8MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Chapter 2 (PDF) 8.7MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Chapter 3 (PDF) .2MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Chapter 4 (PDF) 82.5MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Chapter 5 (PDF) 21MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Chapter 6 (PDF) .5MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Chapter 7 (PDF) 14MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Chapter 8 (PDF) 40MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Chapter 9 (PDF) 7.3MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Appendix A (PDF) .2MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - Appendix B (PDF) .2MB

Preservation Master Plan for Washington and Lee University - End Matter (PDF) 1.1MB

The campus of Washington and Lee University has grown around the Classical Revival buildings begun in the 1820s and completed in the 1840s. An architecturally and spatially harmonious campus, it received the countrys highest listing as a National Historic Landmark District in 1971. The historic core of today's 250-acre campus is the 19th-century Colonnade, a group of Classical Revival brick buildings. With grant support, the university plans to research the cultural and architectural heritage of the campus, inventory and evaluate the buildings and landscape, and create a preservation master plan with policies, procedures, and training programs.

Washington and Lee University received a Getty grant in 2004 for $150,000 to support campus heritage planning.

Report Summary

Purpose: With grant support, the university plans to research the cultural and architectural heritage of the campus, inventory and evaluate the buildings and landscape, and create a preservation master plan with policies, procedures, and training programs.

Historic Designation(s): Washington and Lee University Historic District, Lee Chapel (each site holds a designation on the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark); Lee-Jackson House, Washington Hall (Historic American Buildings Survey).

Planning Process Used

• Consultants had the benefit of existing student research on campus historic buildings, particularly work by architectural students on the Liberty Hall complex. The final report actually cites two student projects, a masters thesis and a term paper.
• Existing historic resources were reviewed
• Character-defining features were identified
• Preservation treatments were recommended
• Consultants organized the building analysis into eight groupings
• Consultants divided the campus survey into five character areas with further landscape (sub-)areas: Front Central Lawn; Central Campus; Woods Creek Ravine; Wilson Field; Liberty Hall

Outcomes: Products

For each of the 5 character areas, Milner Associates prepared

• Landscape field surveys
• Topographic maps
• Maintenance recommendations, particularly regarding stucco

Outcomes: Plans

Several recommendations plan for education

• Using signage to increase the educational potential of character areas within the campus
• Suggested construction of “ghost frames” to indicate buildings no longer extant

Outcomes: Policies and Practices

Several recommendations plan for education (see above)

Unique Features

• Archaeological research
• Campus maps with topographic underlay
• A distinct section on stucco treatment and related maintenance recommendations
• Articulated need to choose between preservation and impressive, new construction
• Signage used to increase the educational potential of character areas within the campus
• Suggested construction of “ghost frames” to indicate buildings no longer extant