University of Virginia Highlights Walking Tour

Entries on This Tour

1. The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia

The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia is dedicated to promoting visual literacy as part of a comprehensive educational endeavor to enhance vistors' understanding of world cultures. The museum, which originally opened in 1935 and reopened as a dedicated museum in 1974, is housed in the Thomas H. Bayley Memorial Building. Its collection includes nearly 14,000 objects, including American and European paintings, works on paper, and 15th-20th century sculptures; as well as ancient Mediterranean, Asian, and Native American art. Additionally, visitors can explore a print gallery and soon an object study gallery.

2. Carr's Hill (University of Virginia President's House)

Carr's Hill is the residence of the University of Virginia President. Constructed in 1909, the historic structure is named for Mrs. Sidney Carr, the operator of a nearby boarding house. The two-story, Colonial Revival style home was designed by the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White and overlooks the university chapel and Jefferson's "Academical Village." It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. Prior to the construction of this stately home, this area was home to student housing.

3. Memorial Gym & Nameless Field

The athletic facilities at the University of Virginia encompass a number of buildings and fields, including Memorial Gym (also known as "Mem Gym"). Mem Gym houses intramural sports in addition to other recreational activities. This structure was designed as a memorial to the 2,700 University students and alumni lost in World War I. Between the gym and Alderman Library is an expanse of grassy turf, once an ice-skating pond, called Nameless Field.

4. Newcomb Hall & Pavilion XI

Newcomb Hall is the University of Virginia's student center. Completed in 1958, its design was inspired by the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. The facility houses a ballroom, dining facilities, meeting spaces, lounges, offices, and a movie theatre on the lower floor. The dining facilities, located on the first floor, are known as Pavilion XI ("The Pav"). Newcomb Hall is named after U.Va's second president, John Lloyd Newcomb.

5. Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library

The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library is a research library specializing in American and Virginia literature and history. The library is located on the University of Virginia's campus grounds. It administers over 13 million manuscripts, 3.6 million items in the University archives, 325,000 rare books, and thousands of other items of literary or historical interest. Included in the collection are numerous examples from American and British literature, the history of Virginia and the southeastern United States, the history and archives of the University of Virginia, sporting books and manuscripts, World War I, bibliography and book arts, as well as documents and artifacts from the life of Thomas Jefferson.

6. The Range & Edgar Allan Poe Room

The Range is an architectural complex situated parallel to the U.Va campus Lawn. It includes fifty-two rooms of graduate housing. In addition, there are six hotels on each side of the Range. Originally used as dining spaces, they now serve as administrative office space and house the Jefferson Literary Debating Society. Living on the range is considered to be an honor; notable former residents include Edgar Allan Poe (13 W. Range) and Woodrow Wilson (31 W. Range).

7. Pavilion I

Pavilion I is a historic building located within Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village at the University of Virginia. The structure adjoins the steps of the Rotunda steps on the west side. Completed in 1822, it was the fifth pavilion to be constructed. It features columnns topped by Doric capitals, central doorways on the first two floors, and a center chimney. It is distinguished by the Chinese-inspired trellis on its second floor.

8. The Rotunda, University of Virginia

The Rotunda was designed by Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. It is believed Jefferson was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Construction began in 1822 and was completed in 1826. In 1895 a fire destroyed the entirety of the wooden dome of the Rotunda and an Annex that had been added for additional classroom space. In 1898 the dome was rebuilt with a slightly modified design by Stanford White. The interior of the Rotunda was completely rebuilt in 1976 to reflect Jefferson's original design.

9. The Lawn (U.Va)

The Lawn is a terraced, grassy court at the center of Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village. The term "Lawn" also can refer to the original grounds designed by Jefferson for U.Va. It consists of four rows of colonnades, student/faculty housing, and several larger buildings, such as the Rotunda. The Lawn is a designated U.S. National Historical Landmark District and included as part of the Monticello UNESCO World Heritage Site.

10. Cocke Hall

Cocke Hall is located on the Lawn of the University of Virginia campus. Designed by Standford White of McKim, Mead & White, this Jefferson Revival building was completed in 1898 as part of an effort to replace classroom space lost in a fire that gutted the Rotunda. Cocke Hall, named after an associate of Thomas Jefferson, originally housed the Mechanical Laboratory. Today, it is used as classroom and office space.

11. Blind Homer With His Student Guide (Sculpture)

Blind Homer With His Student Guide is a bronze sculpture by noted Jewish American soldier and artist Moses Jacob Ezekiel. It depicts the Greek poet Homer, author of the Illiad and the Odyssey, accompanied by an Egyptian student guide. The statue was completed and acquired by U.Va in 1907, along with a bronze of Thomas Jefferson. The Homer sculpture is located on "The Lawn" at the University of Virginia in front of Cabell Hall.

12. Old Cabell Hall

Old Cabell Hall is located at the south end of the Lawn on the University of Virginia campus. Constructed between 1895 and 1898, this structure was intended to replace lost classroom and auditorium space following the Rotunda fire of 1895. Originally called the "Academical Building," it was renamed in 1898 in recognition of Joseph Carrington Cabell for his service to the university. "New" Cabell Hall wraps around the 1898 building. Today, Cabell houses the Hall McIntire Department of Music and the Music Library, in addition to the University's primary lecture and concert hall.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

University of Virginia Highlights Walking Tour

Created by Angelica Garcia on March 29th 2017, 9:12:41 pm.

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The University of Virginia in Charlottesville is a public research university and the flagship school of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Established in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, U.Va is steeped in history. Its original governing Board of Visitors included a number of founding fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.Take a walking tour of some of the highlights of the campus, including the Academical Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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University of Virginia Highlights Walking Tour

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