5.VSU Heritage Preservation Plan_FINAL_2018 0806.pdf

HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

V I R G I N I A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

AUGUST 6, 2018

Vawter Hall North Elevation

CONTENTS | i

Campus photography © Hanbury. Supplemental campus documentation by Hanbury. All graphics, diagrams, and renderings were produced by Hanbury.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 HISTORIC CONTEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

3.0 HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY

4.0 HERITAGE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

5.0 APPENDIX

CONTENTS

ii | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | 1

This document is the result of cooperation and assistance from the dedi-cated people at Virginia State University. The consultant extends special thanks to the following individuals:

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Jane Harris, Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Capital Outlay

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC RESOURCES

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

Adrienne Birge-Wilson, Architectural Historian

HANBURY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN DESIGN TEAM

John Dreiling, Project Manager Greg Rutledge, Historic Architect Elizabeth Morgan, Photography and Graphics Cathy Lester, Graphics and Report Production

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

2 | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

Virginia State University Campus Map

SUMMERSEAT

HISTORIC CAMPUS CORE

INTRODUCTION | 1-1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Virginia State University Heritage Preservation Plan was developed to guide the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of the significant built resources that make up the core of the campus and to guide future projects and maintenance to be compatible with the overall character of the management area.

The Heritage Preservation Plan identifies sixteen build-ings along Hayden Street that contribute to the historic architectural character of the campus and are worthy of measures to protect this unique academic environment. In addition to these sixteen buildings, Summerseat, located at the northwestern corner of the campus has also been identified as a significant historic resource. Of the build-ings included in this Plan, two are listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. They are Vawter Hall and Storum Hall. Summerseat has been deemed eligible for listing.

To take into account appropriate measures to protect these resources, the Plan establishes goals to recognize their importance and to identify, retain and preserve historic building fabric, preserve character defining features and materials through conscientious maintenance, and to consider preservation measures in future undertakings.

1-2 | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

Eligible for listing on the State and National Registers

Listed on the State and National Registers

Historic Inventory

BUILDING LIST

Byrd Hall

Colson Hall

Eggleston Hall

Honors House

Jones Dining Hall

Langston Hall

Lindsay-Montague

Lockett Hall

Post Office

President’s House

Seward Hall

Storum Hall

Trinkle Hall

Vawter Hall

Virginia Hall

Williams Hall

Summerseat

Summerseat

Historic Campus Core

INTRODUCTION | 1-3

1.2 EVALUATION METHODOLOGY

The evaluation methodology is based on the buildings that comprise the historic core of the campus along Hayden Avenue. Virginia State University was chartered in 1882 as the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute and operated for five years out of a farmhouse located on the site. In 1888, the Main Building, the massive, five-story Virginia Hall (since demolished) opened and it contained classrooms, offices and housing all in a single building and did so for 20 years. In 1908 Vawter Hall was constructed for a cafeteria, administrative offices, bookstore and theater activities, mak-ing Vawter Hall the first building constructed after Virginia Hall for academic use. It wasn’t until almost 20 years later that the campus saw substantial change and growth. After going through a period around the turn of the century of reduced funding and losing its college program, in the 1920’s the college department was reinstituted and funding was available for expansion. During the 1920’s and 1930’s the college curriculum expanded and so did the physical campus. Dormitories, a dining hall and academic buildings were constructed along Hayden Avenue. These structures create the historic core of the campus as we see it today.

The buildings are designed in the Colonial Revival style, are of similar scale, and have a regular rhythm of placement.

The majority of these buildings were designed by Charles M. Robinson. Robinson was a prolific architect in the early twentieth century, designing buildings for several college campuses, including not only Virginia State University, but James Madison University, Mary Washington University, and the College of William and Mary. His practice was based in Richmond, Virginia from 1906 until his death in 1932. His son-in-law, J. Binford Walford, assumed the prac-tice and continued Robinson’s legacy of designs for college campuses. Of the sixteen buildings located on the historic campus core, thirteen can be attributed to Robinson and Walford.

The sixteen buildings are:

•• Byrd Hall •• Colson Hall •• Eggleston Hall •• Honors House •• Jones Dining Hall •• Langston Hall •• Lindsay-Montague Hall •• Locket Hall •• The Post Office •• The President’s House •• Seward Hall •• Storum Hall •• Trinkle Hall •• Vawter Hall •• Virginia Hall •• Williams Hall

These buildings comprise the historic campus core and have been included in this Plan due to their cohesive style, association with the architect Charles M. Robinson, and a specific period of construction which was the first signifi-cant period of growth beyond the University’s initial charter.

Summerseat is a unique ca. 1861 residential building and although it is not located in the historic core, it is architec-turally and culturally significant, and thus has been included in this Plan.

Original Virginia Hall South Elevation

1-4 | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

1860-1905

1906-1924

1925-1935

1936-PRESENT

BUILDING LIST

Byrd Hall

Colson Hall

Eggleston Hall

Honors House

Jones Dining Hall

Langston Hall

Lindsay-Montague

Lockett Hall

Post Office

President’s House

Seward Hall

Storum Hall

Trinkle Hall

Vawter Hall

Virginia Hall

Williams Hall

Summerseat

Summerseat

Historic Campus Core

INTRODUCTION | 1-5

CONSTRUCTION PERIODS

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of the 1930’s showing the area of the Historic Resources included in this Heritage Preservation Plan

The character of the heritage management area was purposefully created during three significant periods of construction that coincide with the growth of the institution, changes in the political climate of education and available funds. Those periods are: Pre-1920, 1920-1935 and post 1935.

PRE 1920

For the first two-and-a-half decades after the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute was established in 1882, only one new building was constructed. That was the Main Building, which came to be known as Virginia Hall. In 1908, when the state appropriation was restored after years of being cut, construction began for new academic facilities and faculty residences. Vawter Hall (academic), Storum Hall (originally the President’s House) and Honors House (originally a faculty residence) were constructed during this period. They are the oldest extant structures in the historic core of the campus.

1920-1935 The 1920’s saw growth in both academic programs and the physical campus. The Institute became the Land Grant College for Negroes in Virginia, the four college program was reinstituted and state appropriations increased. In the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, five dormitories were constructed along Hayden Street, all similar in scale and style, and sited according to a master plan. This set the framework for the historic context and ambience of the heritage management area. An Academic Building (Lockett Hal) Jones Dining Hall and the Post Office (originally the Laundry were also constructed during this time.

POST-1935

In 1936, the Board of Visitors approved the demolition and replacement of Virginia Hall, the original building that stood on the south side of Hayden Street since 1886. Along with replacing Virginia Hall, construction of a new science build-ing and a new library was also approved. In 1937, Colson Hall, Virginia Hall and Johnston Library (now Lindsay-Montague Hall) were constructed on the site of the original Virginia Hall, complementing the recently constructed dormitories and creating a formal face for the campus overlooking the lawn. The President’s House was completed in 1939.

1-6 | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

BYRD HALL

Residential

51,910 GSF

COLSON HALL

Administration

24,974 GSF

EGGLESTON HALL

Residential

23,030 GSF

HONORS HOUSE

Academic

1,991 GSF

JONES DINING HALL

Kitchen/Dining

50,736 GSF

LANGSTON HALL

Residential

33,040 GSF

LINDSAY-MONTAGUE

Academic & Library

21,200 GSF

LOCKETT HALL

Academic

22,993 GSF

POST OFFICE

University Support

6,240 GSF

SURVEYED STRUCTURES

DHR ID 020-5245-0007

DHR ID 020-5245-0001

DHR ID 020-5245-0013

DHR ID 020-5245-0006

DHR ID 020-5245-0015

DHR ID 020-5245-0018

DHR ID 020-5245-0003

DHR ID 020-5245-0025

DHR ID 020-5245-0014

INTRODUCTION | 1-7

SEWARD HALL

Residential

22,835 GSF

VIRGINIA HALL

Administration

41,572 GSF

STORUM HALL

Administration

6,006 GSF

WILLIAMS HALL

Residential

44,205 GSF

SUMMERSEAT

Cooperative Extension

1,116 GSF

TRINKLE HALL

Administration

27,587 GSF

PRESIDENT’S HOUSE

University Support

7,530 GSF

VAWTER HALL

Academic

22,968 GSF

1.3 SURVEYED STRUCTURES

DHR ID 020-5245-0004

DHR ID 020-5245-0016

DHR ID 020-5246

DHR ID 020-5231

DHR ID 020-5245-0008

DHR ID 020-5247

DHR ID 020-5245-0002

DHR ID 020-5245-0017

1-8 | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

Hayden Street looking West

View Looking East Across the Lawn to Storum Hall Virginia Hall’s Bell Tower

HISTORIC CONTEXT | 2-1

Virginia State University is the oldest state-supported col-lege for blacks in the United States. Its history begins in 1880 when the Readjuster Party came into power due to black voters responding to the party’s promises to keep their schools open, pay their teachers and establish a college. Alfred W. Harris, one of 13 blacks serving in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1882, introduced and pushed passage of a bill to establish a school for blacks. The law incorporating Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute was enacted on March 6, 1882 and provided for a normal program (teacher training) and a four year college program.

In February 1883, 33 acres of land north of Petersburg, Va., along the northern banks of the Appomattox River known as “Fleets Farm” was purchased. Construction began on a large five story Main Building in June. This building, later called Virginia Hall, took almost five years to complete.

Classes began on October 1, 1883 and were held in the 12-room house on “Fleets Farm” until Virginia Hall was completed. John Mercer Langston, the former Dean of Howard University, and the first black to be elected to Congress, was elected the first president in 1886.

James Hugo Johnston, Sr. took over the presidency on January 1, 1888. He led the institution for 26 years during a critical period when the political climate changed, hostility to black education mounted, and the institute’s $20,000 annual appropriation was reduced to $15,000. In 1902 the Virginia Legislature passed an act changing the institute’s original character, eliminating the college program and changing the name to Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute. Through this tumultuous time, President Johnson kept the school in operation and increasingly became a dis-ciple of the sort of vocational training offered at Hampton and Tuskegee. Courses in carpentry, sewing, cooking and shoe-making were added to the curriculum in the 1890’s.

In 1907, a course in vocational agriculture was organized.

In 1908, the state appropriation was restored to $20,000 and Vawter Hall was constructed. It was the first building to be built after the original Virginia Hall and built for

2.0 HISTORIC CONTEXT

administrative, bookstore, cafeteria, and theater activities.

The President’s House adjacent to Vawter Hall (now Storum Hall) was constructed in 1914.

President Johnson took ill and died in 1914. John Manuel Gandy became the third president of the school and held the post for 28 years until 1942. During President Gandy’s tenure, the institute expanded curricular programs as well as its physical presence. The Morrill Act of 1862, also known as the Land Grand College Act, was set up to establish institutions in each state that would educate people in agriculture, home economics and trades, ensuring access to education for all people. A second Morrill Act, passed in 1890 was a direct response to discrimination and exclu-sion of blacks at land-grant colleges. It required states to establish and fund land-grant colleges for black students, if black students were excluded from the existing land-grant colleges. In 1920 Virginia State University was made the Land Grant College for Negroes in Virginia, moving that program from Hampton Institute, thus making Virginia State University one of the 19 universities designated with land-grand status under the Morrill Act of 1890. In 1923, the four year college program was reinstituted. The campus expanded to 110 acres and a 189-acre farm was purchased a mile away. The state appropriations also increased and with funding secured from Governor Trinkle (1922-1926) and Governor Byrd (1926-1930), several new buildings were erected including Seward Hall (1927), Eggleston Hall (1928), the Laundry building (now the Post Office, 1928), Trinkle and Byrd Halls (1929), Jones Dining Hall (1934), and Williams Hall (1935).

In 1937, the Board of Visitor’s approved the demolition of Virginia Hall and Colson Hall (the original 12-room house) and authorized a new administration building, science building and library. All three, Virginia Hall, Colson Hall and Johnston Hall (now Lindsay-Montague) respectively, were built in 1937.

President Gandy retired in 1942 and served as the College’s first president emeritus and professor of research until his death in 1949. It is during his presidency, and the first major building campaign to create a campus identity, the historic campus core came to being.

President Luther Hilton Foster, Sr. became the fourth president in 1942. During his seven years as president, the institute acquired a branch in Norfolk, Va., that would eventually become Norfolk State University, the Institute’s name was changed to Virginia State College, and an R.O.T.C.

branch was secured for training officers. Plans were under-way for a major physical expansion when President Foster died suddenly.

Robert Prentiss Daniel, the fifth president of Virginia State College, carried out Foster’s building program including dormitories, a home economics building, the commerce building, campus hospital, the new Johnston Memorial Library, a new gymnasium, an R.O.T.C. building and a new agriculture building. The college was reorganized into six schools: Arts and Sciences, Education, Agriculture, Commerce, Industries, and Home Economics; and three divisions: General Education, Graduate Studies and Field Services. In the mid 1960’s the college was removed from the State Board of Education and given a separate Board of Visitors. It also appointed its first Caucasian faculty member and diversity in both the faculty and student enrollment was being seen. President Daniel served the university for 18 years, from 1950 until his death in 1968.

Over the next eight years, the College would have four presidents and went through the social unrest of the 1960’s.

The School of Agriculture and School of Industries were re-organized, and the Hunter-McDaniel Science- Mathematics Building and Harris Hall, the education building, were erected.

In 1979, the institute’s addition of more departments and graduate programs was recognized in a change of name to Virginia State University.

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HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY | 3-1

3.0 HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY

Eligible for listing on the State and National Registers

Listed on the State and National Registers

Historic Inventory

BUILDING LIST

Byrd Hall

Colson Hall

Eggleston Hall

Honors House

Jones Dining Hall

Langston Hall

Lindsay-Montague

Lockett Hall

Post Office

President’s House

Seward Hall

Storum Hall

Trinkle Hall

Vawter Hall

Virginia Hall

Williams Hall

Summerseat

Summerseat

Historic Campus Core

3.1 BUILDINGS LISTED ON THE VIRGINIA LANDMARKS REGISTER (VLR)

AND NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES (NRHP)

3-2 | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

Aerial View ca. 1970 looking North

HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY | 3-3

3.2 INDIVIDUAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENTS

BYRD HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

COLSON HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

EGGLESTON HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

HONORS HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

JONES DINING HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

LANGSTON HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

LINDSAY-MONTAGUE HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

LOCKETT HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18

POST OFFICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20

PRESIDENT’S HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22

SEWARD HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24

STORUM HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26

SUMMERSEAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28

TRINKLE HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30

VAWTER HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32

VIRGINIA HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34

WILLIAMS HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36

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DESCRIPTION

Byrd Hall is located at the northwest corner of Hayden Street and Hayden Drive. Trinkle Hall is to the east.

Although there are entrances on all sides, the front of the building faces southeast toward Hayden Street. The building is surrounded by lawn with modest foundation plantings. Sidewalks lead to the entrances.

The building style is Colonial Revival with influences drawing upon Georgian architecture in massing, form and detailing.

It has a rectilinear plan with asymmetrical wings that recede at 45 degree angles. It is 3-1/2 stories tall on a partially raised basement. The entrance façade is symmetrical consisting of seven bays with the center three bays projecting slightly to accentuate the entrance. The west wing is six bays and the north wing is eleven bays with the center three bays projecting slightly. Byrd Hall has a gabled roof with evenly spaced gabled dormers. A cupola is centered over the entrance. Pedimented gables top the projecting bays. It is a Flemish bond brick masonry structure, resting on a brick foundation. A store water table delineates the first floor line and a projecting brick string-line, four courses in height, defines third floor line. The roof rests on a denticulated cornice that conceals a built-in gutter. The gable ends are pedimented with a round window surrounded by a rowlock course with four keystones in the tympanum.

A shallow, Tuscan-style portico signifies the main entrance on the west façade and has a segmented arch pediment.

The portico is accessed by stone steps with wrought iron railings terminating in volutes. The entrance door, which has been altered, is a single-leaf door with a rectangular vision panel. There is a paneled sidelight on the latch-side and the doorway is topped by a transom light with muntin bars in a circular motif. Windows are aligned horizontally and vertically and are of a uniform size. They are 6/6 double

BYRD HALL

hung wood windows. The first floor windows are in recessed shallow masonry insets with a lintel composed of a jack arch and a cast stone keystone. All other window lintels are brick jack arches; window sills are rowlocks.

The gable end-walls of the wings are also symmetrical with a three bay composition. The center bay of windows correspond to the internal stair and are set to relate to the landings. The upper landing windows differ from the 6/6 double hung windows in that they are of different styles: a single hung 8-light window under an 8-light fixed window and with an arched top. The lower landing window is 3/3 double hung. These are also set in a shallow masonry niche with an arched top and cast stone accents at the spring line and keystone. The entrances are at grade, a half story between the first floor and basement, and are a one story masonry projection from the plane of the elevation. The doors have been altered similar to the front entrance to provide a wider single leaf door. They have a pediment over a transom panel adorned with an elliptical rosette. The west entrance has a segmental arch pediment over a transom panel adorned with an elliptical rosette.

Alterations: As noted above, the entrances have been reconfigured from pairs of doors to a single leaf and side panel.

BYRD HALL

BUILT: 1928

ORIGINAL USE: Women’s Dormitory CURRENT USE: Women’s Dormitory ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Colonial Revival

DHR ID: 020-5245-0007

Southeast Elevation looking towards the entrance

North Elevation

HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY | 3-5

HISTORY

Byrd Hall is one of many buildings erected in the 1920’s and 1930’s under the leader-ship of President John Gandy. Prior to this building campaign, only four buildings were constructed: the original Virginia Hall (1883- 1986, replaced in 1936), The President’s House (Storum Hall, 1914), Vawter Hall (1908), and Johnston (renamed Johnson, built 1914, and demolished 1972). Byrd Hall, Seward Hall, Eggleston Hall, and Trinkle Hall were all constructed as dormitories between 1927 and 1930. They were sited on the north side of Hayden Street in accordance with the 1928 master plan developed by Architect Charles M. Robinson. Robinson also designed all four buildings. It continues to serve Virginia State University as a residence hall. It is named in honor of the Honorable Harry Flood Byrd, former Governor of Virginia.

Byrd Hall retains a high level of architectural integrity with the only alterations occurring at the entrances for accessibility.

Byrd Hall is significant as a structure erected during a period of substantial growth that established the architectural context of Hayden Street and the historic core of the campus. It is also significant for its association with the body of work of architect Charles M. Robinson whose designs influenced and contributed to the built environment of many colleges and universities in Virginia.

THREATS

No known threats.

BYRD HALL

Historic Photo of Byrd Hall from the Southeast

Window and gable details

Hayden Street entrance detail

3-6 | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

Colson Hall is located on the south side of Hayden Street between Vawter Hall and Virginia Hall. The front elevation does not face Hayden Street, it faces east toward Vawter Hall and a side elevation faces Hayden Street. The building is surrounded by lawn with sidewalks connecting to the front and rear doors. Trees line the north and south edges of the site.

The building style is Colonial Revival relying with influences from Georgian architecture in façade organization and de-tailing. It is brick masonry, has a rectangular shaped plan and is three stories tall over a basement. The east façade is a symmetrical eleven bay composition with a central portion of five bays and three bays that slightly project on each end. The roof form is hipped with gable ends where the façade projects. There are three symmetrically placed dormers. Colson Hall is Flemish bond brick masonry with glazed headers and a cast stone water table above the Flemish bond basement walls. The roof material is slate and there are two interior chimneys symmetrically placed near the center of the west façade.

The entrance is centered on the east façade and is articu-lated with a Tuscan style surround and entablature capped with a broken pediment. The entrance door is slightly recessed and is a single leaf with sidelights and an arched transom window. The surround returns to the door with panel jambs and the casing has a scrolled keystone. The entrance is accessed by a raised stoop with a curved stair and wrought iron railings to the south. On the north side of the stoop the stairs have been replaced with a ramp.

Windows are 6/6 replacement windows with the appear-ance of double-hung. Window openings have jack-arch lintels and row lock sills. The first f loor windows are set in recessed masonry panels that begin at the water table

COLSON HALL

and are capped by arches. The arches have cast stone skew blocks and keystones. The masonry infill in these recesses is running bond in contrast to the Flemish bond body of the building.

A projecting stringcourse, three brick course in height, delineates the third floor. The roof rests on a denticulated cornice that conceals a built-in gutter. The gable ends are pedimented with dentil work on the horizontal and raking cornices. Each gable has a circular window. The dormers on the east façade have arched-topped louvers with a scrolled keystone. Dormers on other elevations have 6/6 windows with arched topped transoms and a scrolled keystone.

Alterations: As noted above, the entrance stoop has been modified to provide a ramp for an accessible path to the building. The front door has been replaced and altered to provide a door of sufficient width for accessibility. Windows have been replaced.

COLSON HALL

BUILT: 1937

ORIGINAL USE: Classrooms CURRENT USE: Classrooms ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Colonial Revival

DHR ID: 020-5245-0001

East Elevation

HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY | 3-7

In 1936, the Board of Visitors approved the demolition of the original Virginia and Colson Halls and authorized building a new admin-istration building and science building and library. These three buildings; Johnston Hall (now Lindsay-Montague Hall), Virginia Hall and Colson Hall were all constructed in 1937 to the south of Hayden Avenue in accordance with Charles Robinson’s 1928 master plan for the campus. They are of similar design. Colson Hall is a mirror image of Lindsay-Montague Hall (formerly Johnston Hall) with Virginia Hall in between creating an impressive, formal array of buildings fronting the lawn. The buildings were designed by J. Binford Walford, who was the successor to Charles Robinson and con-tinued the design legacy of Robinson’s firm.

Colson Hall is named for James Major Colson who joined the faculty of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute as the first science professor and served as the second Principal of the Institute from 1885-1886.

Colson Hall retains a high level of architectural integrity.

Colson Hall is significant as a structure erected during a period of substantial growth that es-tablished the architectural context of Hayden Street and the historic core of the campus. It is also significant for its association with the body of work of architects Charles M. Robinson and J. Binford Walford, whose designs influenced and contributed to the built environment of many colleges and universities in Virginia.

COLSON HALL

THREATS

No known threats.

East entrance detail

Window details

3-8 | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

Eggleston Hall is located on the north side of Hayden Street. The Post Office is to the east and Trinkle Hall is to the west. Although there are entrances on all four sides, the front of the building essentially as two fronts facing west and east. The building is surrounded by lawn with modest foundation plantings. Sidewalks lead to the entrances.

The building style is Colonial Revival with inf luences drawing upon Georgian architecture in massing, form and detailing. It has a rectilinear plan and is 3 ½ stories tall on a partially raised basement. The façade is symmetrical consisting of eleven bays with the center three bays pro-jecting slightly to accentuate the entrance. It has a gabled roof with four gable-end dormers. A pedimented gable tops the projecting center bay. Eggleston Hall is a Flemish bond brick masonry bearing wall structure, resting on a brick foundation. A stone water table delineates the first floor line and a projecting brick string-line, four courses in height, is at the third floor. The roof rests on a denticulated cornice that conceals a built-in gutter. The gable ends are pedimented with a round window surrounded by a rowlock course with four keystones in the tympanum.

Shallow, Tuscan-style porticoes signify the entrances on the east and west façades and have wrought iron balustrades.

The porticoes are accessed by stone steps with wrought iron railings terminating in volutes. The entrance door, which has been altered, is a single-leaf, stile and rail door with two panels and 4 lights. There is a paneled sidelight on the right side and the doorway is topped by an elliptical fanlight. Windows are aligned horizontally and vertically and are of a uniform size. Windows are 6/6 light, double-hung windows. The first floor windows are in recessed shallow masonry insets with a lintel composed of a jack arch and a cast stone keystone. All other window lintels are brick jack arches.

EGGLESTON HALL

The gable end-walls are also symmetrical with a three bay composition. The center bay of windows correspond to the internal stair and are set at the landings. They differ from the 6/6 double hung windows in that they are of dif-ferent styles: an 8-light fixed window and a double hung widow with an arched top. These are also set in a shallow masonry niche with an arched top and cast stone accents at the spring line and keystone. The side entrance doors are six-panel with sidelights.

Alterations: As noted above, the main entrances have been reconfigured from pairs of doors to a single leaf and side-panel.

EGGLESTON HALL

BUILT: 1928

ORIGINAL USE: Female Dormitory CURRENT USE: Female Dormitory ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Colonial Revival

DHR ID: 020-5245-0013

West Elevation

View from the Southwest

HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY | 3-9

Eggleston Hall is one of many buildings erected in the 1920’s and 1930’s under the leadership of President John Gandy. Prior to this building campaign, only 4 buildings were constructed:

the original Virginia Hall (1883-1986, replaced in 1936), The President’s House (Storum Hall, 1914), Vawter Hall (1908), and Johnston (renamed Johnson, built 1914, demolished 1972). It was the first dormitory constructed for female students. Eggleston Hall, Seward Hall, Trinkle Hall and Byrd Hall were all constructed as dormitories between 1927 and 1930. They were sited on the north side of Hayden Street in accordance with the 1928 master plan developed by Architect Charles M. Robinson.

Robinson also designed all four buildings. It continues to serve Virginia State University as a residence hall. Eggleston Hall is named in honor of Board Member Joseph D. Eggleston who, along with Hatcher S. Seward, were instrumental in securing funding from the commonwealth for these four dormitories built in the late 1920’s.

Eggleston Hall retains a high level of architec-tural integrity. Alterations include the addition of an accessible ramp to the north entrance, modifications to the entrance doors to provide wider door leaves, and window replacement, primarily on the first and second floor.

Eggleston Hall is significant as a structure erected during a period of substantial growth that established the architectural context of Hayden Street and the historic core of the

EGGLESTON HALL

campus. It is also significant for its association with the body of work of architect Charles M. Robinson whose designs influenced and con-tributed to the built environment of many colleges and universities in Virginia.

THREATS

No known threats.

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Honors House is located on the north side of Hayden Drive. The President’s House is across the street and the Guest House is to the west. A parking lot is to the north (rear) of the house. The site is modestly landscaped with mature shrubs at building corners.

The building style is Vernacular; its boxy building form could be considered Four-Square or Colonial Revival. The building is a Flemish bond brick masonry structure. It has a square plan and is two stories tall. The fenestration on the south façade is symmetrical, however, the east bay projects slightly. The roof is hipped and there is one central, hipped-roof dormer, two interior end-wall chimneys and a roof vent at the center of the hipped roof. The roof material is standing seam metal.

There is a full-width, one story, three-bay porch across the front elevation. The porch roof is a low-slope, hip roof rest-ing on a boxed cornice with a deep overhanging eave. The porch columns are square with Tuscan bases and capitals;

their shafts have inset panels. The side bays have a simple wooden rail of square pickets.

The front door is centered on the elevation. It is a single leaf flush door. First floor windows are 9/1 double hung and second floor windows are 6/1 double hung. Above the door is a pair of smaller 6/1 windows.

Honors House retains a good level of integrity due to its un-altered form and retention of historic materials, especially the porch and roof. The interior has been heavily altered and the building was relocated to this site in the mid-1930’s.

HONORS HOUSE

Alterations: Windows and front door have been replaced.

HONORS HOUSE

BUILT: 1916

ORIGINAL USE: Residence CURRENT USE: Academic ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Colonial Revival

DHR ID: 020-5245-0006

South Elevation

HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY | 3-11

Honors House was constructed in 1916 as a faculty residence. It was moved to its current location ca. 1935 to make room for Johnston Library (now Lindsay-Montague Hall). It has been in continuous use as a residence for many years and currently is used for academic offices for Sponsored Research and Graduate Studies staff.

THREATS

HONORS HOUSE

3-12 | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

Jones Dining Hall is located on the Northeast corner of Hayden Street and University Avenue. The front of the building faces south to Hayden Street; service entrances are on the north off of Lee Street. Colson Hall is across Hayden Street, the Post Office is to the west.

The building style is Colonial Revival drawing upon Georgian architecture in massing, form and details. The building is Flemish bond brick masonry structure. It is rectilinear in plan and is 2 ½ stories tall. The south façade is symmetrical about seven bays. The center three bays are a projecting gable front adding emphasis to the symmetricity and the entrance. The roof form is gabled and there are two evenly spaced dormers on either side of the front gable and there is a cupola at the center of the roof.

The entrance is articulated with a wooden surround topped with a segmented arch pediment. The pediment is obscured by a canopy cover that extends from the façade to Hayden Street. The entrance is accessed by stone steps with wrought iron railings that terminate in volutes. Windows are aligned horizontally and vertically with 12/12 double hung windows in the projecting bay with eight light transoms on the first floor and pairs of 9/9 double hung windows with six light transoms on the first floor. Second floor windows are the same as the first floor except without the transom.

Dormers have arched top single hung windows with 11/6 lights. Each gable end has a round window in the tympa-num surrounded by a row lock and 4 keystones.

The first floor is elevated above grade and is defined by a cast stone water table. A cast stone string line defines the second floor. Window sills are cast stone and window lintels are jack arches with cast stone keystones. The roof rests on a denticulated cornice that hides a built-in gutter.

JONES DINING HALL

Alterations: Windows have been replaced, the front doors have been replaced, the canopy is not original to the building.

JONES DINING HALL

BUILT: 1930

ORIGINAL USE: Dining Hall CURRENT USE: Dining Hall ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Colonial Revival

DHR ID: 020-5245-0015

View from the Southwest

HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY | 3-13

Jones Dining Hall is named for Cora Z. Jones, known as the “Mother of the University.” Ms.

Jones joined the staff in 1888 and held myriad positions, such as nurse, housekeeper, Matron of the dining room, and she served as the Matron of Girls. She retired in 1940 after 52 years of service. Jones Hall was the first build-ing named for a woman at VSU.

THREATS

No known threats.

JONES DINING HALL

East portico

3-14 | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

Langston Hall is located at the southeast corner of Hayden Street and University Avenue. Vawter Hall is across University Avenue to the west. Although there are entrances on all sides, the front of the building faces northwest toward the corner of Hayden Street and University Avenue. The building is surrounded by lawn with modest foundation plantings. Sidewalks lead to the entrances.

The building style is Colonial Revival with inf luences drawing upon Georgian architecture in massing, form and detailing. It has a rectilinear plan with asymmetrical wings that protrude at 45 degree angles. It is 3 ½ stories tall on a partially raised basement. The entrance façade is sym-metrical consisting of five bays with the center three bays projecting slightly to accentuate the entrance. The north wing is five bays and the west wing is four. Langston Hall has a gabled roof with evenly spaced gabled dormers. A cupola is centered over the entrance. A pedimented gable tops the projecting entrance bays. It is a Flemish bond brick masonry structure, resting on a brick foundation. A stone water table delineates the first floor line and a projecting brick string-line, four courses in height, defines third floor line. The roof rests on a denticulated cornice that conceals a built-in gutter. The gable ends are pedimented with a round window surrounded by a rowlock course with 4 keystones in the tympanum.

The entrance is articulated by an architraved surround with a broken pediment. It is accessed by stone steps with wrought iron railings terminating in volutes. The entrance door is a six-panel single leaf door with narrow sidelights and a transom light. Windows are aligned horizontally and vertically and are of a uniform size. They are 6/6 double hung windows. The first floor windows are in recessed shallow masonry insets with a lintel composed of a jack

LANGSTON HALL

arch and a cast stone keystone. All other window lintels are brick jack arches; windows sills are rowlocks.

The gable end-walls of the wings are also symmetrical with a three bay composition. The center bay of windows correspond to the internal stair and are set to relate to the landings. The upper landing windows differ from the 6/6 double hung windows in that they are of different styles: a single hung 8-light window under an 8-light fixed window and with an arched top. The lower landing window is 6/6 double hung. These are also set in a shallow masonry niche with an arched top and cast stone accents at the spring line and keystone. The entrances are at grade, a half story between the first floor and basement and are a one story masonry projection from the plane of the elevation. The doors have been altered similar to the front entrance to provide a wider single leaf door. They have narrow side-lights and a transom window surrounded by a Tuscan style architrave.

Alterations: The entrances have been reconfigured from pairs of doors to a single leaf and side-lights. Windows have been replaced with 6/6 simulated divided light units.

LANGSTON HALL

BUILT: 1929

ORIGINAL USE: Male Dormitory CURRENT USE: Co-Ed Honors Dormitory ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Colonial Revival

DHR ID: 020-5245-0018

Northwest Elevation, Main Entrance

HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY | 3-15

Langston Hall is one of many buildings erected in the 1920’s and 1930’s under the leadership of President John Gandy. Prior to this building campaign, only 4 buildings were constructed:

the original Virginia Hall (1883-1986, replaced in 1936). The President’s House (Storum Hall, 1914), Vawter Hall (1908), and Johnston (renamed Johnson, built 1914, and demolished 1972). Langston Hall, Byrd Hall, Seward Hall, Eggleston Hall, and Trinkle Hall were all constructed as dormitories between 1927 and 1930. They were sited along of Hayden Street in accordance with the 1928 master plan developed by Architect Charles M. Robinson.

Robinson also designed all four buildings. It continues to serve Virginia State University as a residence hall. It is named in honor of the John Mercer Langston, the first President of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute (1885- 1887) and Virginia’s first African American member of Congress.

Langston Hall retains a high level of archi-tectural integrity with the only alterations occurring at the entrances for accessibility.

Langston Hall is significant as a structure erected during a period of substantial growth that established the architectural context of Hayden Street and the historic core of the campus. It is also significant for its associa-tion with the body of work of architect Charles M. Robinson whose designs influenced and contributed to the built environment of many colleges and universities in Virginia.

LANGSTON HALL

THREATS

No known threats.

Gable and cupola details

Historic view of the Main Entrance looking Southeast

Dormer and cornice details

3-16 | VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN

Lindsay-Montague Hall is located on the south side of Hayden Street at the corner of Hayden Street and Hayden Drive. Virginia Hall is to the east and a surface parking lot is to the west. The building faces west to the parking lot.

The building is surrounded by lawn with a brick patio on the west side that connects to sidewalks leading to Virginia Hall and Hayden Street. Trees line the north and south edges of the site.

The building style is Colonial Revival relying with influences from Georgian architecture in façade organization and de-tailing. It is brick masonry, has a rectangular shaped plan and is three stories tall over a basement. The west façade is a symmetrical eleven bay composition with a central por-tion of five bays flanked by three bays that slightly project on each end. The roof form is hipped with gable ends where the façade projects. There are three symmetrically placed dormers. Lindsay-Montague Hall is Flemish bond brick masonry with glazed headers and a cast stone water table above the Flemish bond basement walls. The roof material is slate and there are two interior chimneys symmetrically placed near the center of the west façade.

The entrance is centered on the west façade and is articu-lated with a Tuscan style surround and entablature capped with a broken pediment. The entrance door is slightly recessed and is a single leaf with sidelights and an arched transom window. The surround returns to the door with panel jambs and the casing has a scrolled keystone. The entrance is accessed by a raised stoop with a curved stair and wrought iron railings to the north. On the south side of the stoop the stairs have been replaced with a ramp.

Windows are 6/6 replacement windows with the appear-ance of double-hung. Window openings have jack-arch lintels and rowlock sills. The first floor windows are set in

LINDSAY-MONTAGUE HALL

recessed masonry panels that begin at the water table and are capped by arches. The arches have cast stone skew blocks and keystones. The masonry infill in these recesses is running bond in contrast to the Flemish bond body of the building.

A projecting stringcourse, three brick course in height, delineates the third floor. The roof rests on a denticulated cornice that conceals a built-in gutter. The gable ends are pedimented with dentil work on the horizontal and raking cornices. Each gable has a circular window. The dormers have 6/6 windows with arched topped transoms and a scrolled keystone.

Alterations: As noted above, the entrance stoop has been modified to provide a ramp for an accessible path to the building. The front door has been replaced and altered to provide a door of sufficient width for accessibility. Windows have been replaced.

LINDSAY-MONTAGUE HALL

BUILT: 1937

ORIGINAL USE: Library CURRENT USE: Library Archives and Special Collections ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Colonial Revival

DHR ID: 020-5245-0003

HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY | 3-17

In 1936, the Board of Visitors approved the demolition of the original Virginia and Colson Halls and authorized building a new adminis-tration building, science building and library.

These three buildings Johnston Hall (now Lindsay-Montague Hall), Virginia Hall and Colson Hall were all constructed in 1937 to the south of Hayden Avenue in accordance with Charles Robinson’s 1928 master plan for the campus. They are of similar design. Lindsay- Montague Hall is a mirror image of Colson Hall with Virginia Hall in between creating an impressive, formal array of buildings fronting the lawn. The buildings were designed by J.

Binford Walford, who was the successor to Charles Robinson and continued the design legacy of Robinson’s firm. When constructed, Lindsay-Montague Hall was called Johnston Hall, named for the second president of the institute. It was the Library. The library moved to the new Johnston Memorial Library when it was built in 1958. Johnston Hall became the music building and renamed Lindsay- Montague for Anna Laura Lindsay, who established the Music Department, and Dr. J.

Harold Montague, who was head of the Music Department. Lindsay-Montague Hall currently houses the University Archives and Special Collections.

Lindsay-Montague Hall retains a high level of architectural integrity.

LINDSAY-MONTAGUE HALL

Lindsay-Montague is significant for its siting as one of the three principal buildings facing the lawn that were built to replace the original Virginia Hall. It is also significant as a structure erected during a period of substantial growth that established the architectural context of Hayden Street and the historic core of the campus and for its association with the body of work of architect Charles M. Robinson and J. Binford Walford, whose designs influenced and contributed to the built environment of many colleges and universities in Virginia.

THREATS

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Lockett Hall is located on Myster-Macklin Street. The front of the building faces to the street.

The building style is Colonial Revival drawing upon Georgian architecture in massing, form and details. The building is Flemish bond brick masonry structure. It is T-shaped in plan and is 2 stories tall over a basement. The façade is symmetrical about eleven bays. The center three bays are a projecting gable front adding emphasis to the symmetricity and the entrance. The roof form is gabled and there are no dormers.

The entrance is articulated with a one-story Tuscan portico and a door surround with a transom window. The entrance is accessed by stone steps with wrought iron railings that terminate in volutes. Windows are aligned horizontally and vertically with 12/12 double hung windows on both the first and second floor. Each gable end has a round window in the tympanum surrounded by a row lock and 4 keystones.

The first floor is elevated above grade and is defined by a cast stone water table. Window sills are brick row-locks and window lintels are jack arches with cast stone keystones.

The roof rests on a denticulated cornice that hides a built-in gutter.

Alterations: Lockett Hall retains a high level of architectural integrity with its original form and detailing easily compre-hended although there have been additions to the building.

LOCKETT HALL

LOCKETT HALL

BUILT: 1930

RENOVATED: 2017

ORIGINAL USE: Agricultural Engineering CURRENT USE: Home of Biology, Nanotechnology, Robotics and Chemistry ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Colonial Revival

DHR ID: 020-5245-0025

View from the Northwest

HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY | 3-19

Lockett Hall is one of several buildings erected in the 1920’s and 1930’s under the leadership of President John Gandy. During this period, several dormitories including Byrd Hall, Seward Hall, Eggleston Hall, and Trinkle Hall were built. Lockett Hall was constructed to be the Agriculture Engineering Building. It is named for John Leon Lockett who became the Director of the Division of Agriculture and Professor of Agronomy at Virginia Normal Institute in 1928. Past uses have included a creamery and it was the Biology Building. In 2015, Lockett Hall underwent a complete adaptive reuse to become the home of Biology, Nanotechnology, Robotics and Chemistry. It also houses the Distance Learning and Testing Center, faculty offices, classrooms and laboratories.

Lockett Hall is significant as a structure erected during a period of substantial growth that es-tablished the architectural context of Hayden Street and the historic core of the campus.