Washington and Lee University (Washington and Lee or W&L) is a private liberal arts university in Lexington, Virginia. Established in 1749 as the Augusta Academy, the university is among the oldest institutions of higher learning in the United States.Plan a trip to Lexington easily and quickly by telling Inspirock to suggest an itinerary.
Washington and Lee's 325-acre campus sits at the edge of Lexington and abuts the campus of the Virginia Military Institute in the Shenandoah Valley region between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains. The campus is approximately 50 miles (80 km) northeast from Roanoke, 140 miles (230 km) west from the state capital of Richmond, and 180 miles (290 km) inland southwest from the national capital at Washington, D.C.
Washington and Lee was originally a small classical school. It was founded as the Augusta Academy (later renamed Liberty Hall Academy) by Scots-Irish Presbyterian pioneers, though the university has never claimed any sectarian affiliation. In 1796, shortly before the end of his second term as U.S. president, George Washington endowed the struggling academy with a gift of stock, one of the largest gifts to an educational institution at that time. In gratitude, the school was renamed for Washington, the commander of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, president at the 1787 Federal Constitutional Convention, and first President of the United States. In 1865, shortly after his April 9 surrender to Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, commander of the Union Armies, former Confederate States Army general-in-chief Robert E. Lee (1807–1870) served as president of the college for five years until his death in 1870, when the college was thereafter renamed the "Washington and Lee University." One of the oldest institutions of higher education in the American South, W&L is the second-oldest in the Commonwealth of Virginia (next to the College of William & Mary, founded in 1693).
The university consists of three academic units: the college itself; the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics; and the School of Law. The university hosts 24 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams which compete as part of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA Division III).
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Washington and Lee University reviews
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Beautiful grounds and well worth walking around on a nice day. People whom I asked questions or directions were all friendly and responsive.
Beautiful grounds and well worth walking around on a nice day. People whom I asked questions or directions were all friendly and responsive. more »
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My wife and I toured the grounds, as the chapel and museum were closed to visitors due to covid restrictions. Really liked the architecture and was very peaceful to tour. We learned alot from the...
My wife and I toured the grounds, as the chapel and museum were closed to visitors due to covid restrictions. Really liked the architecture and was very peaceful to tour. We learned alot from the... more »
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Just passed through while in Lexington, and it was very clear why it is considered very prestigious. It is a very pretty campus, with aged trees and bricks, many beautiful porticoes on the Southern-style buildings, and very friendly people. I enjoy the visit, and I would recommend a stop for either history fans or if you are a student looking for a university, this is a good candidate. Cheers.
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General Stonewall Jackson’s finally resting place and home 🏠 & General Robert E Lee’s finally resting place @ Washington and Lee University This is a great place to check out our tons of history... you could spend all day driving around the surrounding areas and walking around checking everything out 🏛⛪️🏫🏠
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