Willard Hall History

UMW Preservation Plan

History:

Shortly after the selection of Charles M. Robinson, Charles K Bryant, and Philip N. Stern as the Normal School architects work began on designing the three initial structures that were to “become the nucleolus for a school…which will be a credit to this section and the whole state”.1 Over the course of the next 3 ½ months the architects stayed busy developing plans for the three buildings to be constructed; Dormitory No. 1 (later named Francis Willard Hall), the Science Hall and the Presidents House.2 Despite the naming of three architects, the majority of the design work was likely pursued by Charles M. Robinson’s Richmond firm which had already designed similar buildings for the Normal School at Harrisonburg earlier in 1908-1909.3 By November 4, 1909, both Robinson and Bryant were

1 Free Lance, November 23, 1909, pg 2

2 Free Lance, September 25, 1909, pg 3

3 Dalton, Robert and John Wells, “The Virginia Architects 1835-1955”, pg 378-379

Francis Willard Hall Date Constructed (major alterations): 1909-11 (1931-32, 1942, 1949, 1977-79, 1980, 1995) Original (primary) Function: Dormitory Current (primary) Function: Dormitory Architect(s): Charles M. Robinson (J. Binford Walford, O. Pendleton Wright, Glave Newman Anderson, HDH) Period of Significance: 1909-1911 Grade Level (1 highest – 4 lowest): Grade 1

Figure 1: Francis Willard Hall, southwest perspective, 2012.

The history of each building and landscape on campus will be used to help understand how it fits into a larger local, state, and national context. This context can then be used to help determine the building or landscapes significance. Once significance is established the period when that significance occurred needs to be defined. Lastly, the history of the buildings and landscapes will help in the evaluation of the seven aspects of integrity used by the National Register of Historic Places to gauge whether enough of what made that structure significant in the first place remains intact. Most, but not all, of the seven aspects of integrity need to be applicable for the building or landscape to obtain a high grade listing (1 highest – 4 lowest). Additionally, the grade listing of a building or landscape will take into account whether the significance is local, state or national. (See grade listing criteria for more specific definitions regarding significance and integrity)

Building History

noted by the local paper, as making a site visit to review plans and building locations in preparation for two upcoming meetings. The first of these meetings held in Richmond on November 8, 1909 was with a small portion of the Building Committee as well as President Russell. This smaller meeting was in preparation for a more formal meeting to be held in Fredericksburg on November 11, 1909. The purpose of this second meeting was to “…accept drawings, locate buildings and to arrange to let contracts for the construction of buildings.”4 With the entire board of trustees and President Russell in attendance the three architects presented their “plans and specifications for three of the buildings, the academic, dormitory and residence for the president…” The meeting ended with the approval of all of the plans with steps taken to begin advertising for their construction. Additionally, Stern was chosen as Supervisor of Construction for the three buildings. While the designs seem to have gone over well, a small article the following day, noting a site visit by the building committee indicates that not everyone was sold on the initial site selection of the three buildings.5 Final site placement of Dormitory No. 1, perpendicular to a strong east-west axis that centered on the future administration building, later called Monroe Hall, helped create a strong sense of symmetry when viewed with the future Dormitory No. 2, later named Virginia Hall. Drawings from August 1910 illustrate the relationship of these three structures with each other and the cardinal directions. Once built, the courtyard formed by these three structures would for a short time be referred to as “the lawn”.6 The north-south axial alignment of the dormitory also assisted in providing good natural light.7 At the time of construction, electric lighting had still not progressed to the point where the study of natural light could be abandoned. While gas was an option, correspondence from Robinson indicates that gas, which did produce a greater light, was out of the question referring to its installation as “the most dangerous thing you can positively put in this building”.8 Natural light was also deemed to be healthful for students and conducive for a good learning environment. Therefore, it was common practice at the time to orient dormitories along a north-south axis so that over the course of the day each room would receive some natural light.9 This is specifically noted in a March 8, 1910 advertisement describing the dormitory building;

“All the rooms are well lighted with large double windows and the building is so located that each bedroom will receive sunlight at some time.”10



6 State Normal School College Catalogue, Bulletin, June 1922, vol. VIII no. 2 (11

th annual), pg 19.

7 1910 Robinson Topographic map

8 Charles M. Robinson, Letter to President Russell, April 19, 1910 (UMW Special Collections, SF.8 Financial Matters)

9 Klauder, Charles Z., “Recent American Collegiate Architecture”, AIA Conference Proceedings, 1921, pg 78.

10 Free Lance, March 3, 1910, pg 3.

The following paragraphs describe the design for Willard Hall, illustrating particular aesthetics, as well as building trends at the time. Such an examination helps to place the building within a larger context allowing for a better determination of significance.


Further developments in building form, such as the “H” plan used at Willard Hall, enabled square footage to be added to the structure while still meeting light requirements. Robinson had previously used such a form at the Harrisonburg Normal School, later named James Madison University, only a year prior. Ironically, these were the same design techniques that were developed and still being employed for tenement housing in some of the poorest neighborhoods in America.11 Besides natural lighting, the location and orientation of Willard Hall also addressed ventilation. Located high on a ridge, with limited vegetation, the site received a constant breeze from the north and west. Architectural design at the time valued natural ventilation for its association with healthy living as well as its ability to provide cool breezes during the summer months. One reference, from 1910, describes the importance of both ventilation and heating systems in educational buildings in rather dramatic terms, “The cost of proper heating and ventilating systems seems high, but what is a little cost when compared to human life?”12 While mechanical means were available for heating purposes, ventilation was still considered something that needed to be conducted through passive systems incorporated within the site and building design. While site placement was important, functional sash windows, as well as placing such windows opposite each other, helped enhance cross-ventilation. One early 20th century account describes how the architect captured the proper ventilation,

“Two of these dormitories are only one room deep, with windows on opposite sides affording cross-ventilation, an arrangement which is apparently followed also in the teachers’ dormitory at Emerson Institute. The proposed type plan has the windows opposite each other, this insuring some sunlight in every room, irrespective of the position of the building with reference to the sun, and securing adequate ventilation.”13

Operable transom windows above interior hall doorways also provided another means for air to circulate as well as adding additional interior light to somewhat dim interior corridors. The exterior design of the dormitory as presented by Robinson, Bryant and Stern was to largely follow aesthetics dictated by Roman Classicism, sometimes referred to as Jeffersonian collegiate. This included the use of brick walls, with thick mortar joints, situated on top of a raised basement. The walls were to be crowned with a white balustrade to obscure the low sloped hip roof. Ionic columns were to be used on all four porches differentiating it from the nearby administration building which was designed using the higher, Composite order. Stone lintels were used above first and second floor windows. The third floor windows were treated differently using splayed brick jack arches with keystones helping to create a hierarchy to the elevation, common with such design aesthetics. The same general design of Willard Hall would be used again in the construction of Virginia Hall as well as on other Virginia campuses, notably Radford University. While the design of the building was in keeping with best practices of the time, the functions the dormitory was to perform differed from the early 20th century ideal, which called for each department of a school to be separately housed.14 However, at the time, due to costs and funding, dormitory No. 1

11

James E. Ware, “Dumbell Apartment,” 1878; R. DeForest and L. Veiller, “The Tenement House Problem”, New York, 1903 12

Shawkey, M.P., “School Architecture”, West Virginia Department of Education, 1910, pg 68. 13

Negro Education, Bulletin, 1916, Bureau of Education, No. 38, pg 215-17. 14

Negro Education, Bulletin, 1916, Bureau of Education, No. 38, pg 222.

Building History

was designed to serve as a residential hall for boarding students as well as the dining hall, laundry facility, and heating plant. An advertisement for the Normal School notes these various functions;

“On the first floor are a reception room and parlor, a large, well lighted dining-room, 99 feet long and 43 feet wide: the kitchen and serving-rooms, toilet-rooms and several bedrooms. The other two floors contain approximately 65 bedrooms and a small hospital ward in case of sickness. There are ample toilet provisions on each floor, and in addition to this each bedroom has a stationary washstand.”15

Laundry facilities, as well as the heating plant, were located in the basement of the structure with both an interior as well as two exterior entryways providing direct access. Two interior staircases, with skylights, were to facilitate access between the first, second and third floors. Matron rooms were also placed throughout the dormitory in an effort to maintain order and encourage proper behavior. Despite some misgivings about the site for the structure, by November 22nd, eleven days following the acceptance of the initial plans and specifications, Stern had prepared corrected drawings for the dormitory building to begin the bidding process.16 Chandler had noted on November 12, 1909 that on or “about Dec 10th, ground will be broken for the dormitory building…”, so time was pressing.17 Almost three weeks later, on December 7, 1909, contractor bids were opened for both the dormitory and administration buildings. Eleven bids were submitted by a variety of construction firms including local Fredericksburg builder E.G. “Peck” Heflin. Despite Heflin’s local connections, his bid of $45,650 for the dormitory was beaten by J.C. Curtis, of Newport News, with a bid of $42,491.18

While ground was officially broken for what was to become Willard Hall on December 14, 1909, construction did not begin in earnest until the early spring of 1910.19 During this lull, a variety of decisions were still being made including the decision on January 25, 1910 to use bricks manufactured by the Fredericksburg Brick Company, located at the intersection of Commerce (William) Street and Sunken Road.20 Further changes and revisions, although minor, would continue until April 1910 when the final drawings were provided by Charles M. Robinson’s firm. Absent from these drawings were the names of both Charles K. Bryant and Philip Stern.21

Once construction began in the spring of 1910 and progressed quickly. By May 7, 1910, the first floor joists had been installed and work was beginning on the second floor. During this same period Robinson

15

Free Lance, March 8, 1910, pg 3 16

Free Lance, November 20, 1909, pg 3 17

Free Lance, November 16, 1909, pg 1 18

Original Dormitory No. 1 Contract between J.C. Curtis and the State Normal & Industrial School for Women, UMW Special Collections; Free Lance, December 9, 1909, pg 3 19

Free Lance, March 8, 1910, pg 3 20

Free Lance, January 25, 1910, pg 3 col. 3. 21

Charles Robinson, Fredericksburg Normal School Dormitory Drawings, April 1910 (UMW Facilities Serviced)

Discussed and elaborated on in the following paragraph is information regarding construction dates (December 1909- April 1911) which help confirm Willard Hall as the oldest Fredericksburg Normal School, purpose built structure. Materials associated with original construction are also noted and will assist in determination of the buildings material integrity.


was also presenting plans for the structure’s water, heating and lighting systems.22 Shortly thereafter on May 13, 1910, bids were solicited for the steam power and electric plant, laundry facility, water supply system, steam heating, sewerage and plumbing, vacuum cleaning system, and electric wiring.23 Progress again was noted on July 28, 1910 as moving along at a satisfactory pace with the “walls having nearly reached the second floor.”24 Finally on April 27, 1911 the structure was noted as being “about completed”.25 By that time almost everything had been installed including the kitchen equipment facilitated by Majestic Manufacturing Company of St. Louis Missouri.26 While construction took over a year the building was ready for the Normal Schools first session beginning on September 26, 1911, the same could not be said for the administration building. The final structure was built with a poured concrete foundation 18” thick on which sat a brick wall laid in a common bond pattern 17” thick. Cast iron columns, 6” in diameter combined with 8”x10” girders created the open dining hall whereas more traditional wood stud walls, finished with wood lathe and plaster partitioned the interior rooms. Wood flooring was installed throughout the structure with granolithic concrete used for the exterior porch floors. Limestone was used sparingly, notably on thresholds, window sills, and on the first and second floor window lintels.

When completed in the spring of 1911, plans were already in place to alter the building with the removal of certain functions. Two such functions, the heating plant and laundry facility, were removed from Francis Willard Hall, so named in 1915, with completion of a new heating plant, laundry facility, and 50,000 gallon water tank in 1921.27 Smaller alterations also occurred throughout the 1920s with the vestibule receiving a new tile floor in November of 1928.28 Major changes again occurred in 1931 with the completion of the new dining hall, Seacobeck. This

allowed for the old dining hall and kitchen to be converted to rooms, necessary to keep up with increasing enrollment which had grown from 412 in 1926 to 762 by 1936.29 However, all first floor entryways were kept intact creating a small lobby where both the east-west and north-south corridors intersected. Changes were again made to the structure in April 1942 by architect J. Binford Walford, the former understudy of Charles M. Robinson. During this time a shower room was installed in a portion of the former kitchen on the first floor and a hall bathroom directly above removed. Additionally, the smoke stack that once served the heating plant was converted into an incinerator with access created from the first, second and third floors for resident use. Another noteworthy change was the enclosure of doorways, except for one, in the first floor front parlor and reception rooms. The plans also called for a

22

Free Lance, May 7, 1910, pg 3 col. 3 23

Times Dispatch, May 13, 1910, pg. 9 col. 4. 24

Times Dispatch, July 28, 1910, pg. 1 col. 7 25

Free Lance, April 27, 1911, pg 3 col. 3 26

Majestic Manufacturing Company Drawings, Fredericksburg Normal School Dormitory Kitchen Design, Feb. 14, 1911 (UMW Special Collections) 27

State Normal School College Catalogue, Bulletin, June 1915, vol. I no. 2 (4th

annual), pg 19; State Normal School College Catalogue, Bulletin, June 1921, vol. VII no. 2 (10

th annual), pg 24-25.

28 The Bullet, Vol. II no. 1, November 23, 1928, pg 2

29 The Bullet, Vol. X no. 1, October 7, 1936, pg 1

The notation of changes to the building helps in determining whether enough material from the period of significance (1909-1911, in the case of Willard Hall) remains to intact to convey material integrity.

Building History

mirrored set of rooms directly across the north-south corridor, however this appears to never have been carried out, rather remaining a matrons room.30 Another series of alterations and updates followed shortly after in 1949, again by Walford, but this time in conjunction with O. Pendelton Wright, his new partner. These alterations dealt primarily with updating the bathrooms and installing additional electrical outlets in each bedroom. Also included was the removal of the first floor shower room installed just seven years prior in 1942.31 Undated Walford plans, likely from the 1940s, show the enclosure of the two primary stairwells within the building as well as the installation of four spiral slide fire escapes. However, these fire escapes appear to never have been installed.32 Over thirty years later, 1977-79, changes were again made, this time by the architecture and engineering firm, Glave Newman Anderson. This renovation had perhaps the greatest impact on the integrity of the structure as new ADA compliant ramps and stairways were installed as well as new suite bathrooms, replacing the older hall bathrooms. Due to space limitations the new suite bathrooms were extended into the large hallways creating a series of projections which also required the demolition of many original closets and plaster walls. Further upgrades were made with the installation of floor kitchenettes as well as the replacement of old plumbing and electrical wiring. The first floor, east facing entryway, was also blocked, and the exterior stairs removed to create an additional room.33 Shortly after the renovation the TMS millwork corporation was commissioned to re-install a number of the cabinets that were demolished as well as create built-ins for the new floor kitchenettes and phone booths.34 The most recent, major work, on Willard Hall occurred in 1995 with the removal of the original stairwell skylights and the installation of a new roof. This project also re-painted the roof balustrade.35 Subsequent repairs have also been carried out through cyclical maintenance performed by UMW’s Facilities Services and have included numerous plaster repairs. Integrity and Significance: Despite extensive alterations during the past 101 years, Willard Hall still demonstrates many of the seven aspects of integrity as defined by the Secretary of Interior. Notably, the structures material as well as design integrity associated with the 1909-1911 period of significance, for the most part, remain intact. Repairs, in some cases, have simply concealed original materials, such as plaster walls, providing the potential for future restoration if warranted. Furthermore, the original design of the structure, while obscured by

30

J. Binford Walford, Repair Plans for Francis Willard Hall, April 1942 (UMW Facilities Services) 31

J. Binford Walford, Repair Plans for Francis Willard Hall, April 12, 1949 (UMW Facilities Services) 32

J. Binford Walford, Enclosing on Interior Stairways and Spiral Slide Fire Escape for Willard Hall, undated (UMW Facilities Services) 33

Glave Newman Anderson, Renovations of Willard Hall, 1977-79, (UMW Facilities Services) 34

TMS Millwork Corporation, Mill Work Shop Drawings, 1980, (UMW Facilities Services) 35

HDH Architecture Engineering & Environmental, Roof Replacement for Willard Hall, 1995, (UMW Facilities Services)

This section seeks to highlight why the structure or landscape is significant, as well as establish whether integrity, relevant to the significance, can be said to still exist. Such findings will be used by the Grade Listing Committee to establish the grade of a building or landscape on campus.


partition walls and projecting bathrooms, is still discernible and like the plaster walls, could be re-instated. Such integrity contributes greatly to the buildings significance through its association with the education of women, on a state level, in the early 20th century. This association is further enhanced by its status as the oldest building constructed for the Fredericksburg Normal School. The design of the building is also significant as it clearly exhibits the period of transition, from passive building systems associated with ventilation and natural lighting, to those provided by electricity and steam that occurred in a relatively brief window during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Character Defining Features:

Building form

Building plan

Exterior aesthetics o Common brick bond o Parged raised foundation o Balustrade o Porches o Wood windows o Window treatments o Exterior doors o Entryways

Interior aesthetics o Plaster walls (where intact) o Transoms

This brief bulleted section notes important design features that relate to the structures significance or aspects of its design integrity. Alterations of character defining features should be avoided.

Building History

Timeline Concerning Willard Hall: 1908-09 Dormitories at the Harrisonburg Normal School (later James Madison

University) are designed by Charles M. Robinson using an “H” plan. 1909, Nov. 11th Charles Robinson, Charles Bryant and Philip Stern drawings of the new

dormitory No. 1 building are accepted. 1909, Dec. 7th J.C. Curtis of Newport News submits the winning bid of $42,491. 1909, Dec. 14th Ground breaking ceremony held at site. 1910, Jan. 25th Fredericksburg Brick Company selected as the brick supplier for the dorm

building. 1910, April Revised plans submitted by Charles M. Robinson, no major changes; however

Robinson is now the sole architect for the campus. 1910, May 7th First floor joists are installed. 1910, July 28th Walls have nearly reached the second floor. 1911, April 27th Building nearly complete. 1911, August Water connected to dormitory from city reservoir. 1911, Sept. 25th First session begins, dormitory opens on time for students. 1915 Dormitory No. 1 is officially renamed Francis Willard Hall. 1921 The schools heating and laundry facilities are removed from Willard Hall. 1931 The dining room is removed from Willard Hall. 1942, April Alterations are overseen by J. Binford Walford 1949, April Additional alterations are overseen by J. Binford Walford and O. Pendleton

Wright. 1977-1979 Extensive renovations conducted by Glave Newman Anderson including the

installation of suite bathrooms. 1980 New millwork installed throughout Willard Hall. 1995 Roof replaces and original skylights removed.


Figure 2: The original contract signed by Charles Robinson, Charles Bryant and Philip Stern for the design of Dormitory No.1.

Building History

Figure 3: This 1910 image shows the southwest corner of Willard Hall with the first floor wall near completion. The ravine that now leads to Woodard Campus Center is to the left of the image. (From the University of Virginia Collection)

Figure 4: A watercolor of Willard Hall was produced by Robinson as part of the design contract. With few exceptions, the building follows the design illustrated in the painting. (Image from the Free Lance)


Figure 5: Taken looking towards the northwest, the 1913 image shows Willard Hall a few years after completion. Note in the foreground the presence of the wood walk, kept in place until more permanent concrete sidewalks could be installed.

Figure 6: The dining room on the first floor of Willard as shown in the 1910s. The columns in the room are cast iron, something that by the 1920s had been phased out of standard construction practices.

Building History

Figure 7: Early 1910s image showing the interior of one of Willard Halls lounge areas. Note the wicker furniture, hardwood floors and the dark stained trim. The horizontal panels of the door (upper right) are characteristic of the period.

Figure 8: The interior of a dorm room in Willard Hall from 1915. Note the three beds as well as the in room sink.


Figure 9: The April 1910 drawing of Willard Halls first floor. The center section is where the dining hall was located. The right or south side of the structure housed a reception area as well as bathroom facilities. The left or north side of the structure was

where the kitchen was located.

Figure 11: The above enlargement of the April 1910 Charles Robinson drawings of Willard Hall shows the dining hall. Noted as small circles, in the vast open space of the room, are the cast iron columns used to support the second and third floors above.

Documents

Willard Hall History