FOR THOSE PARENTS DOING WASHINGTON & LEE AND VMI CAMPUS TOURS & INTERVIEWS
We have hosted many thousands of Washington & Lee University and VMI Parents and students for over 39 years, the Lodge is very convenient to admissions office, museums, restauraunts and shops down town. Lexington is very walker friendly. For our college tour Parents and students doinfg campus visits we offer a full breakfast to get you started on time for your appointment to admissions - walkable or 2 minute driveable.
Lodge Guests visiting the colleges, find the delightful 2 minute drive to both campuses and admission houses, veryconvenient. We will get you started with Blue Ribbon breakfast and keep you on time for your campus tour or other appointment. The two colleges, Washington and Lee University - c 1749, and Virginia Military Institute founded 1839 have beautiful adjoining campuses and both are steeped in history.
There are many historical ties with Civil War study most interesting. Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson taught at VMI until the war and General Robert E. Lee came to Lexington after the War to become President of what is now Washington & University. Both are buried in the town they both loved. The Lee Chapel and museum pays honor to General Lee. President George Washington was the first major donor to what is now Washington and Lee University.
Home Away From Home!
I came to stay with John for a night while visiting Washington & Lee School of Law. I had never been to the area before and as a 22 year old on my own, it was such a relief to be staying with someone who not only took me under his wing and made me feel comfortable, but also took the time to tell me the ins and outs of Lexington.
Karen S. Connecticut March 2017
Washington and Lee University
Washington & Lee University was originally founded as Augusta Academy in 1749, 20 miles awayfrom the current campus, making it the 9th oldest U.S. university. The campus was moved to Lexington in 1776 and renamed Liberty Hall Academy. The school ran into financial trouble in the 1790's and luckily General George Washington stepped in to provide the school's 1st endowment of $20,000 in James River Canal Stock which kept the school in operation. In 1813 the newly named private all male Washington College was holding class where the current campus is today.
Confederate General Robert E. Lee came to Lexington 1865 after the Civil War to become President of the university. The college had $67 in its checking account at this time. His goal was to do ''all in his power to aid in the restoration of peace and harmony'' in the South. General Lee served as President until his death in 1870. The school name was changed to Washington & Lee University . The school went co-ed in 1985, today there are over 1800 undergrads. An additional 400 attend the Washington & Lee University School of Law. the Lee Chapel and Museum on the Colannade where General Lee is buried is free to the public, Lee's office is on display just as he left it.
Distances to Other Colleges
| University of Virginia | 1 hour | Va. Tech | 1 1/2 hour |
| Richmond | 2 1/4 hours | Georgetown | 3 hours |
| Duke | 4 Hours | Davidson | 4 hours |
| Wake Forest | 4 hours | UNC | 4 hours |
| James Madison | 1 hour | Mary Baldwin | 35 minutes |
| Southern Virginia U | 7 minutes | Sweet Briar | 1 hour |
| Hollins | 45 minutes | Randolph | 1 hour |
| William & Mary | 2 3/4 hour | Liberty | 1 hour |
Virginia Military Institute (VMI)
VMI, the nation's oldest state supported school. was founded in 1839. The post joins the Washington and Lee University campus in town. It is one of six military schools in the country and the current enrollment is right at1500 cadets. Confederate General Thomas ''Stonewall'' Jackson taught there prior to the Civil War. World War II General George C. Marshall was a VMI and the Marshall museum on post honors him and is open to the public. The VMI Museum is also on post and has many exhibits that cover the history of the school. ''Stonewall'' Jackson's horse Little Sorell is on mounted display along with the rain jacket the General wore on the night he was shot. A very impressive antique gun collection can be found on the second floor down from the chapel level. Full Dress parades are always a favorite with guests as the Corp of Cadets march through the huge Parade ground. These are free to the public and they are scheduled on many Friday afternoons and other special occasions when school is in session August-May.
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY-- Buena Vista
This independent liberal arts college is 6 miles east of Lexington in Buena Vista, Va. The student enrollment is around 800.