Lexington Things to Do

VMI’s most distinguished alumnus is celebrated here. George C. Marshall was the Chief of Staff for the US Army throughout World War II. Following the War, he served as both Secretary of Defense and State, winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts rebuilding western Europe with the Marshall Plan.

At the suggestion of President Truman, the Marshall Foundation was founded in 1953. The building was dedicated in 1964 by President Johnson and Eisenhower to honor the memory of George C. Marshall, VMI graduating class of 1901. After resigning as Army Chief of Staff in 1945, Marshall developed The Marshall Plan, the economic rebuilding of Europe following WWII. Marshall continued serving his country with a political and diplomatic career as Secretary of State and Defense and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

3 more images

Begun in 1749 as Augusta Academy, the school was saved from financial ruin with a gift of stock from George Washington in 1796. To honor George Washington, it was renamed Washington College. After the Civil War, Robert E. Lee, as president from 1865 until his death in 1870, revived it and set it on its course as a modern university, now called Washington and Lee.
Mary Anna Radolph Custis Lee, wife of Robert E. Lee was the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. These three important Virginia families linked by marriage combine to tell the remarkable story of the nation's ninth oldest educational institutions now called .
On the beautiful rolling grounds, regarded as one of the most beautiful in the nation, you can visit the R.E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church, the Lee House, Washington Hall, Lee Chapel, Reeves Center and the Morris House. Most of these buildings were constructed in the early 1800's.

3 more images

Lexington citizens persuaded the state of Virginia in 1839 to convert the local arsenal into Virginia Military Institute. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson taught natural philosophy (physics) and artillery tactics at the school for ten years prior to the Civil War. General George C. Marshall, began a remarkable career, class of 1901, in Lexington that eventually led to his appointment as U.S. Army Chief of Staff, Secretary of State, Secretary of Denfense and his being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize which is in the Marshall Museum at VMI.

All of the superintendents of VMI have lived at The Superintendents Quarters. The Commandants Quarters was the home of VMI professor Matthew Fontaine Maury.
Lejeune Hall is the cadet activities and reception center. The Old Hospital is the oldest VMI building. When visiting The Barracks you will see the Washington Arch and the George Washington Statue. This is the original entrance to the Barracks.

1 more image

Built in 1801 this is the only home that General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson ever owned. After accepting a professorship at Virginia Military Institute Jackson and his second wife, Mary Anna and five of their six slaves lived in the house from 1859 until 1861 when he departed for the Civil War. The house remained in the family after Jackson's death in 1863 until the United Daughters of the Confederacy bought it in 1907.
The house is open to the public and admission is charged.

4 more images

Traveller was a tall iron gray American saddlebred with a black main and tail and was purchased by Robert E. Lee in 1862. Traveller accompanied Lee throughout the Civil War and even carried Lee into Lexington when he assumed the presidency of Washington College.
Lee died on October 12, 1870 and Traveller died at age 14 in 1871. He is buried on the campus at Washington & Lee outside the chapel. For many years Traveller's skeleton was mounted in the Brooks Museum on the W & L campus. In 1929 the skeleton was moved to the new museum in Lee Chapel. Finally in 1971 Traveller's bones are reinterred beside Lee Chapel. His grave is marked by the Virginia Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy.

When you enter the this historic old Chapel, you feel like your steppng back into time. It is amazing. Everything is so white and so silent. You pass the entry/vessible area and make your way up through the chapel to the pulpit area. Just behind the pulpit area on stage you enter into there area where the statue of Robert E. Lee lying in state is located.

It is in a room made of red brick and surrounded by flags both american and rebel. The statue is made of itialian white marble is 6 feet long. It is very detailed and amazing. Such a somber area.

Down below is the actual crypt of Robert E. Lee and the Lee family.

We walked down from the Lexington Visitors Center. It took about 10 minutes to walk here. It was very well marked and we walked up to the campus and made our way to the Lee Chapel.

These buildings ahead of the girls is the main buildings on campus where the students attend classes.