Stairway to...

...not heaven, but the parking lot.

The stair inside the cupola at the Lenfest Center for the Arts at Washington and Lee leads to a bridge over Nelson St., and the parking garage beyond. The distinctive railings, with circles forming a top border, are used throughout the campus.

Proof of spring

The pear trees are in bloom in front of Gaines Hall again.

Among the first trees to bloom in spring, and last to lose its bronze-red autumn leaves, the Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) might be a superior tree except for two weaknesses: the smell of the blossoms is unpleasant (!), and the crotched trunk is brittle -- prone to snapping in high winds. (We lost two in one night, north of here, during the inland winds of Hurricane Isabel.) This set may be protected by its proximity to the building's walls.

Gaines Hall is a residence for upperclassmen at Washington and Lee, completed in 1988 in the "suite" dormitory fashion. I received many demurs to my (rather tongue-in-cheek) assertion that residents of Graham-Lees were "living in style." So -- how are things at Gaines Hall?

Living in style

Graham-Lees Hall at Washington and Lee, looking like a luxury hotel from this vantage point on a parapet by the Warner Athletic Center.

Two earlier dorms, Graham and Lees, were joined in 1940 to make this U-shaped residence hall for freshmen. According to the W&L website, the entire structure was renovated in the 1980s at a total cost of over $3 million, or about $12,000 per room. So -- luxury hotel is not so far off. Though I suspect the residents don't quite see it that way.

Sorority Row

The crescent of five sororities at W&L, seen from Woods Creek trail.

In 1985, Washington and Lee admitted its first female undergraduate degree candidates. Fraternities had long been a center of social life on campus, so it was inevitable that "Greek" life would soon expand to include women. These five houses were completed in 2000 on a hillside southwest of the playing fields, for the members of the University's sororities.

I recently heard that a 6th sorority house is planned soon for the far left side of this group. If true, I think W&L should revisit the decision (even though a 6th may have been planned for from the start). This group of five different, but closely related, Greek/Roman Revival structures is a spectacularly successful architectural achievement for a modern institution. In scale, siting, and harmony with pre-existing buildings, it has turned out unusually well. The addition of a 6th house would cause the center of the group to fall at a void, however, rather than on the central portico, eliminating much of the power of the composition. (As I understand it, there is no room for a corresponding 7th structure on either side; if there was, 7 would work too -- though five seems just right.)

I hope the University preserves the strength of what it has in Sorority Row, and lights on an equally inspired way to incorporate additional houses.

Snow white

The dazzling, bare white branches of an American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) on the Washington and Lee campus.

I'm itching for spring, but one of the things I'll miss when the leaves come out is the sight of the Sycamore branches - particularly in profusion along the stream and river banks - that brighten the landscape in winter.

The building behind the tree is the Reeves Center, an 1842 house which now contains W&L's collection of porcelain and ceramics, including what is reported to be an especially fine collection of Chinese export porcelain. (I've never been in there; I'll have to take a look.)

Old George against the sky

George Washington (a replica of carpenter Matthew Kahle's 1844 folk statue) facing the rising sun.

I had the good luck to come across these clouds and a shining jet trail in just the right place, one morning last week. George Washington himself might have frowned on this image, though, as being too grand and king-like, even hagiographic.

I vacillated between posting the photo just as I shot it (below), or cropping it for emphasis. Here's the original composition, with two chimneys that help to ground the scene:

For symmetry's sake

The front steps at Morris House lead to a window, instead of the door -- which is to the left.

This house, visible at the right of Cyrus McCormick in my post of two days ago, was built in the early 1840's as one of a set of four faculty residences. It is now used as a seminar and reception center, as well as guest accommodations at Washington and Lee. The designer of these varied houses made rather free with classical proportions in the porticoes, for starters, (as can be said of many such buildings in Lexington, including Washington Hall and Stono,) and you can view such deviations as charming un-academic improvisations, or provincial ignorance, (or both,) as you prefer.

(Posting rather late today, due to computer trouble.)

Where Lee died

A magnificent old tree - one of many on the Washington and Lee campus - stands in front of the house of the President.

The house was built for General Robert E. Lee when he was chosen as president of W&L after the end of the Civil War. Since then it has served as the house of the President of the University. Research has shown it to be not an original design, but one adapted from a plan book of the time. The large porch, with its low, almost transparent railings, was for the benefit of Martha Custis Lee (Lee's wife, a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington), who was confined to a wheelchair. She is said to have enjoyed watching and talking with students from her vantage point on the porch.

Lee died in 1870, at 63, in the dining room of this house.

Westward the course of empire...

The statue of Cyrus McCormick at Washington and Lee faces southeast, actually.

McCormick invented the first mechanical reaper in 1831 - when he wasn't much over 20 - and patented it in 1834. He was born in 1809 not far from Lexington, in northern Rockbridge County. (The family farm is worth a visit.) His father is reported to have worked for many years on a horse-drawn reaper, without success, and then passed his work down to his son.

McCormick left this area in 1839 for Chicago (where he founded a forerunner of International Harvester), but maintained ties here, including to Washington and Lee, to which he was a generous benefactor.

The W&L timeline states that when this statue of McCormick was unveiled in 1931, thousands of spectators turned out for the occasion.

(In the background you see the Lee-Jackson House - left - and Morris House - right - on the W&L campus. At far left is a portion of General Robert E. Lee's house, built for him when he arrived in Lexington after the Civil War. Stay tuned tomorrow for a photo.)

Delicate ironwork

A lantern atop one of the pillars of Washington and Lee's Memorial Gate, at Jefferson and Henry.


Greg at Liege City Daily Photo has kindly given me the Kreativ Blogger award. Thank you very much! (For readers of my blog who don't already, it's well worth regularly stopping by Liege City Daily Photo to see Greg's always interesting posts.) I've been too pressed for time lately to do much commenting on the blogs I follow, and I'm afraid I may not get around to passing on this award, but the recognition is most appreciated.

Football on the lawn

Tossing a football on the lawn between Doremus Gymnasium and Elrod Commons on the campus of Washington and Lee.

I took this picture a little while ago, but it's appropriate for the sort of weather we've had the last few days, as well. Last week: snow; this week: temperatures near 70° F (21° C).

Odd fellow

The clean facade of the Troubadour Theater, corner of Main and Henry streets.

Built in 1853 as the Odd Fellows Hall, this building was a community meeting place for generations, and has also seen service as a shoe factory, a hardware store, an opera house, and an early movie theater.

Since 1929 it has been owned by Washington and Lee, and has hosted theater classes and performances for the University as well as being a venue for local musicians and, until recently, the winter home of the Lime Kiln Theater. The addition to the left is from 1968, and windows have been added over the years, as well -- originally the Main Street front here had just two.

There is no sign identifying the theater at the moment, and the announcements of upcoming performances that used to paper the doors are gone. Though the building looks in general good repair, those doors are in need of a coat of paint. I don't know what plans W & L has for the building. Has the completion 2 years ago of Wilson Hall - the spacious new addition to the Lenfest Center for the Arts - rendered the Troubadour superfluous?

If you've heard what's in store for the Troubadour Theater, please leave a comment.

Greek inheritance

The Greek Revival pediment of Newcomb Hall against a fathomless blue sky.

The serenity, solidity and classic simplicity of this image seem fitting for the day after the nation's historic forty-fourth peaceful transfer of executive power.

Sisters' walk

One of the piers supporting the sorority footbridge at Washington and Lee.

At present there are three footbridges spanning the Woods Creek ravine on the campus of W&L. I posted the newest one here. I'm still wrestling with getting a good shot of the oldest one. Today's photo is of the 2000 bridge which connects the crescent of sororities on the hillside below Liberty Hall Rd. with the main campus.

Interestingly, it is from here - below - that one gets the best sense of the height of the walkway. Up top it feels quite safe and secure, and rather tame by comparison.

Back in early December, a couple of sorority sisters were escorting giant Greek letters:

Church on Sunday: Lee Chapel again

The last few days have been too cold for new photos! (I have gotten soft since moving down from the frozen north; though I prefer to think of myself as developing one of the southern refinements.) Here's another shot of perhaps my favorite structure in Lexington - Lee Chapel - taken last month.

You may remember the Chapel from this shot through the columns of Newcomb Hall.

The walkway at right leads through the campus of Washington and Lee, beginning at Washington St. beside the R.E. Lee Episcopal Church, past the Chapel (with the Colonnade on your left), and eventually on to the VMI Post. (The two schools are adjacent to one another, making for extensive grounds, as well as a very interesting contrast.) Surely one of the most pleasant walks in Lexington.

Pastiche

One hundred years of architectural fashion at Washington and Lee.

From right to left (oldest to newest):
1904 - Reid Hall, School of Journalism (originally physics and engineering)
1961 - The Science Center (roof only)
1979 - James G. Leyburn Library
2003 - Elrod Commons (the student center)

Pink shorts

This is the newest of the three footbridges over the Woods Creek ravine, which divides the Washington and Lee campus in two.

On a 40°F (4°C) day in December, the student's ensemble of choice will be: shorts and a down jacket.

Columns in a row

Probably the single most recognizable image of Lexington: the Washington and Lee Colonnade.

I couldn't go on with this blog much longer without showing the Colonnade, but I was reluctant to try it because it's something of a photographic cliché around here. I was lucky enough to back into these tree shadows -- one of the great advantages of taking winter pictures. I think they add something a little different.

Expected a black and white version (below) to play up the shadows even more, but I don't think it does. They seem more fantastic in green and black. What do you think?

Merry Christmas, W&L!

The original folk statue of George Washington that once graced the cupola of Washington Hall is decked out for the holidays at Elrod Commons, the student center at Washington and Lee University.

The statue was carved by a local cabinet maker from a single log of pine when the cupola was added in 1844. "Old George" was removed in 1990 and replaced with a replica, in order to preserve the original. (See the replica above the Colonnade, here. )

Who decides what Old George will wear? I have no idea. Perhaps someone will write in and tell me.

Church on Sunday: Lee Chapel

Lee Chapel, seen through the columns of Newcomb Hall on the Washington and Lee campus.

Robert E. Lee requested the design of this chapel, and it was built during his tenure as president. After his death, he was buried beneath it. The building now hosts university events (a Christmas service of Lessons and Carols was sung there last week), as well as many a W&L wedding. Next year I'll have to get a summer shot of an afternoon wedding party, with the sun lighting the facade. I've found that the sun can't quite reach the front of the chapel this time of year.

The mountains you see in the background are the beautiful Blue Ridge.

Lee's funeral was one of the memorable events in Lexington history. See an 1870 photo of mourners lined up outside the chapel, here.