University of Virginia Library

May Be Used By Honor Committee

Plans Underway To Restore 'Wash Hall'

By Charley Sands

Liberating part of the East Range is one way
the Virginia Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa
Honorary fraternity plans to celebrate the
Sesquicentennial of the University. Washington
Hall, now housing the offices of the Purchasing
Department, is the object of this "gentlemanly
liberation" aimed at restoring this historic

building to a condition more in keeping with
the rest of the University. E. Parker Brown,
president of ODK, has spearheaded a project
designed to elicit enthusiasm and encourage
contributions from students, faculty, and
alumni.

Secretaries Work Among A Maze Of Desks, Partitions

University's Purchasing Department Moved To Washington Hall Two Years Ago

Mr. Brown became interested in the
restoration because he found the Purchasing
Department's use of the structure "a waste of a
fine building." He later investigated the Hall's
interior and discovered that the conditions were
"appalling." "Since the time I first got the idea
for the project they have painted the outside,
but the inside is in deplorable shape. The
interior is divided by several cheap partitions
and most of the space is cluttered with desks."

Principal Problems

The principal problem involved in the
restoration is what to do with the Purchasing
Department. There is now simply no place for
it to go. Vincent Shea, Comptroller of the
University, says that there are plans for a new
office building to be constructed for the
department near the Buildings and Grounds
warehouse. Funds for this structure would
come from the state which, Mr. Shea noted,
would be a "slow process." William Pitts,
Purchasing Agent, agrees emphatically with the
need for more space. He said that the working
conditions were "pretty bad" but had been
worse. "When I first came here two years ago,
the first thing I asked for was a renovation."

Home of Washington Literary Society

Supporters Called It 'Nursery Of Genius'

Moving the Purchasing Department somewhere
else, almost anywhere else, would create
more adequate parking facilities and more of
the working space impossible to find in
Washington Hall's maze of partitions.

A restored Washington Hall would not
merely be a museum piece, used only for
exhibition. "The original use I had in mind for
the building was as a classroom to be used by
the University's Scholar-in-Residence," said Mr.
Brown. "I always thought it such a shame that
a Scholar-in-Residence would live in such fine
residence as Morea and yet have to teach in the
cinder-block splendor of New Cabell Hall."

Varied History

Since the germination of the original idea,
many individuals and groups have been
enthusiastic in presenting ideas about he use of
the building. The Raven Society has said that it
"fully endorses the plan sponsored by Omicron
Delta Kappa and other interested student
groups to restore 'Wash Hall' from its present
use as a purchasing office to one more fitting its
Jeffersonian origins, preferably as a public
meeting room." Mr. Brown is of the opinion
that "In light of the fact that the building has
had so many uses over the years, there should
be no compulsion to use it for any set
purpose."

During its varied history, Washington Hall
has been used as a residence, home for a
debating society, a classroom and an office
building. President Shannon, who has announced
enthusiastic support for ODK in its
drive, received his early education in the
kindergarten which once occupied the Hall.

One of the most mentioned used for the
building is as a trial room for the Honor
Committee. The quarters now occupied by the
committee are constantly in demand by other
groups. The limited space now available is not
conducive to public trials. Also, in Washington
Hall there would be an area for persons waiting
to give testimony.

Most of the offices have by now been moved
out of historic areas. Almost all have been
moved out of the Rotunda and it seems highly
inappropriate to have such an office building in
the Lawn area in light of the Sesquicentennial
year. The restoration of Washington Hall would
be the most significant and lasting way to
celebrate the 150th birthday of the University.
Says George Shipley, President of the University
Union. "This is the gentlemanly way of
liberating buildings at the University."

'Nursery of Genius'

Washington Hall is known to many students
by the stone inscription set over the north
entrance reading, "Washington Literary Society
- 1869." This rather lively organization was
formed in 1831 (the eighth session of the
University) by about fifteen or twenty students
as an "association for mutual improvement in
the art of oratory." It was first given the name
"Academics Society" and met at Pavilion VII
on West Lawn. A little later a similar
organization was formed and these two
continued separate existences until they
decided that strength lay in unity. They joined
to form the Washington Society, "that its
name, recalling the deeds of the 'Illustrious
Father of American Liberty', might animate

View From East Range Shows Washington Hall, Old Rotunda Annex

Wing Pictured Was Added To Washington Hall Sometime During 1860's

them with the desire of using the power there
obtained for the good of their country and the
weal of their countrymen."

Wash Hall is part of the original complex
designed for the University by Mr. Jefferson.
Like most other buildings on the Lawn and
Ranges, it was originally flat-roofed. The plans
called for a building of "one story, with a
Chinese parapet." Apparently Mr. Jefferson
made a slight error when he designed the roof
because it leaked so much that it along with the
rest of the buildings, had to be rebuilt with
peaked roofs - the ones of today. The
"rooflets," as Mr. Jefferson called them remain
underneath the present peaks as mute testimony
to the originator's error.

The Washington Society itself was not exactly
known for its stability and gravity. Their public
speeches seem to have been accompanied by so
many fist fights and challenges of honor that in
1838 the Board of Visitors refused to allow
their delivery. The addresses, they contended,
degraded the reputation of the University,
created dangerous personal feuds and diverted
attention from normal classroom routine.

The society, called a "nursery of genius" by
its supporters, expressed its opinion of the
ruling when it declared, "We are forbidden to
speak; the tongue falters, the lips are closed.
and the voice of vivid eloquence must ring
through our Corinthian columns no more....a
meagre sheepskin will be held as sole incentive
to intellectual exertion."

Oratory being the ruling passion of the
University's nineteenth century, the Society's
membership grew considerably. The election of
a chief orator - supposedly the best in the
College - was described by a member as "a
rare piece of fun, in some respects, but in
others it presents the observer with the baser
side of human nature." As great an honor as it
was, winning the election had its drawbacks. In
a cheering and singing procession the victor was
carried to the nearest "drinking saloon" and
was expected to treat every member of the
half-frenzied group to beer, whiskey, of brandy
until almost no one was fit to carry him back.
Some brave souls would then re-shoulder their
comrade and stagger back to their rooms.