University of Virginia Library

Wilson Hall

It is almost tragic to observe the
fantastic exertion of misdirected
energies of the Harry K. Thaw
Society and coincidently, the Architecture
Class of 1970. They
manufacture little pasties to stick
upon a structure that is merely the
logical outgrowth of an equally
misdirected concept of educational
facilities - the Old and New Cabell
Halls, Cocke and Minor Halls. Wilson
Hall is valid relative to the rest
of this complex of educational containers.
Yet, in spite of their proximity
to the Lawn, none of these
buildings have anything to do with
the original academic village developed
by Mr. Jefferson and expressed
by the Pavilions the student
facilities, and the Rotunda library.

By attacking the brand new
manifestation of an archaic educational
facility without expressing
the basic fallacy of that concept
will only confuse and further misdirect
the public in their attempt to
comprehend the nature of their
educational environment.

Not a single building erected
since the creation of this academical
village one hundred and fifty
years ago has, in the slightest
degree, extended the original concept
of a close relationship between
student and faculty. This is the real
"Architectural disgrace to Mr.
Jefferson's fine University."

No Board of Visitors or any
other influential organization is
going to "learn their lesson" by
having their attention and the
attention of the public focused on
defacing another example of architectural
mediocricy if no one really
understands that Jefferson's
original concept has been turned
into a setting for the Virginia Lawn
and Garden Club and a prestigious
domicile for tenured faculty and
super students.

Attention ought to be focused
upon future architectural schemes
being developed now for the
University to see whether they have
anything to do with the original
educational environment. The time
for protesting Wilson Hall was a
number of years ago before the
building's design was approved, not
before the building's dedication.

Wilson Hall has nothing to do
with Mr. Jefferson's fine University.
Attacking the building as any sort
of symbol of a nonexistent educational
environment is therefore
pointless and unfortunately,
illustrates a gross lack of understanding
on the part of those who
profess to affect the physical
environment in which we live.
Effort must be directed toward
making people aware of their total
environment, not in generating
petty crusades against an inanimate
extension of a stagnant educational
system.