Lee Chapel

Via Cousin John

Since the days of Robert E. Lee, Lee Chapel has been at the heart of life on the campus of Washington and Lee University. Imbued with tradition, it continues to be a gathering place for the University's most important events.

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.

Lee's office is preserved much as he left it for the last time on September 28, 1870. The rest of the lower level became a museum in 1928, exhibiting items once owned by the Lee and Washington families.

Lee Chapel was named a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and from 1962 to 1963 the Chapel was restored with the support of the Ford Motor Company Fund. A major renovation of the Lee Chapel Museum was completed in 1998, commemorating the University's 250th anniversary in 1999. In 2007 to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Robert E. Lee * the exhibition was re-installed and now focuses on the history of Washington and Lee University.

The chapel remains an integral part of Washington and Lee's campus even today. Concerts, lectures and other University events take place regularly in the 500-seat auditorium on the main level and its balcony.

A state-of-the-art museum is housed in the lower level and includes Lee's office, an exhibition tracing the history and heritage of Washington and Lee University, a small changing exhibtion space and a museum shop.

* Changed to reflect PC and not mention his WBTS service. Criminals all.

Lee Chapel