Institutional History Museum and Galleries at Washington and Lee University

09/25/2026

, the University Chapel and Galleries are closed for a university event.

We look forward to welcoming you back at 10am on Saturday, September 26.

09/24/2026

Nearly 40 years ago this week, W&L fielded its first intercollegiate women’s soccer team. In the fall of 1987, the team included three classes of women coached by Jan Hathorn, now the Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics.

Image from the 1988 Calyx
WLU Generals

09/17/2026

Think you know Lexington? Let’s test that. 📸

For those who haven’t been to town in a while — how have these landmarks changed since 2002?

These photographs, taken in 2002 by Carol M. Highsmith, show familiar corners of town and campus as they appeared over two decades ago. Some things look almost untouched. Others — maybe not what you remember.

Here’s the game: swipe through, and tell us in the comments — what’s changed, what’s held steady, and what do you miss most?

Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Image: Mainstreet view of downtown Lexington, looking north toward VMI Lexington, Virginia Library of Congress Virginia Military Institute
Main Street Lexington

1. Mainstreet view of downtown Lexington, looking north toward VMI
2. The Rockbridge County Court House building got a new street address, name, and purpose since 2002. The historic building is now an Administrative Office building occupied by W&L at 102 South Main (previously 150 South Main)
3. The Lexington Carriage Company still operates tours downtown, and its stables are still located in its same spot on Randolf Street.
4. The iconic Southern Inn Restaurant sign still stands out on Main Street. While the dining room has been closed for a few years, the business has been hinting at something new coming to the storefront in 2027.
5. While the Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington is no longer displayed in Lee House, it can still be seen today on W&L's campus in the Chapel's "Setting the Stage" exhibition.
6. The Davidson Tucker House sits next to the Stonewall Jackson Museum. In 2002, the sites were operated by the Stonewall Jackson Foundation, and today, they are now owned and operated under VMI.
7. The former Alexander-Withrow Building housed "Artists in Cahoots" in 2002. Today, it is operated by The Georges. It currently features a coffee shop called Annie's @ Haywood's
8. Hull's Drive-In is still active, located on the outskirts of Lexington, showing new releases and old favorites during its operating season.
9. The Colonnade remains as timeless as ever, bringing in fresh faces every year.

09/11/2026

09/08/2026

Lexington's severe storm on Friday wreaked a bit of havoc at the University Chapel. The tree showed damage following the storm but fell over the weekend. Fortunately, the tree did not damage the historic structure and does not pose a threat to the safety of campus or visitors.

09/08/2026

For the refreshed exhibition in President Lee's Office within the University Chapel, the IHMG sought interactive ways to demonstrate Lee’s impact on the campus and students. Turning to academic catalogues held by our partners at Special Collections in Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University Library the IHMG researched the academic years before, during, and after Robert E. Lee’s presidency to tally enrollment statistics and trends.

Focusing on the twenty school years between 1852 and 1873, visitors can now explore individual geographic “heat” maps showing the concentration of students from each state as well as total enrollment for each year.

Keep an eye on our companion page for behind-the-scenes and expanded content this fall! The first installment is available now.

09/07/2026

(September 21-26), the University Chapel & Galleries is the location for several private events that impact tour hours:

Thursday, September 24: The Chapel will close at 4:30pm

Friday, September 25: The Chapel will be closed all day.

Thank you for your understanding!

09/05/2026

, the University Chapel will be open from Noon until 5pm for visitors to explore. Please note that the lower-level entrance is closed today, and all visitors should enter through the main Chapel doors.

09/04/2026

Today, Friday, September 4: The University Chapel & Galleries will close at 3:30 pm for a University event.

Visitors are encouraged to allow at least an hour to fully explore the Chapel.

Lexington, Virginia and the Rockbridge Area Tourism

09/03/2026

Students are rolling out of bed bright and early today for the first day of class! Enjoy this to a historic view of Lees Hall dormitory with a glimpse of the president's house (Lee House) just behind.

Lees Hall was constructed around 1904 and was connected to its neighbor, Graham Hall, in 1940. It was named for University donor Susanna Preston Waller Lees (1824–1902) whose bequest funded the construction.

Happy first day of class, generals!

Photograph courtesy of Washington and Lee University Library