Main
Hall
Lynchburg,
Virginia
#NC-01195-ED - Notecards
#PR-01195-ED - Open Edition Print
Main
Hall at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, designed by architect
William M. Poindexter, was less than half built when the college
opened its doors to its first class of students on September 14,
1893. The college is named for two Southern statesmen, John Randolph
of Virginia and Nathaniel Macon of North Carolina — though neither
man is known to have had a relationship with the college — and
was originally one of several Randolph-Macon educational institutions
throughout Virginia.
In the fashion of the time, Main Hall was designed to house all
of the College’s functions in one building. But Randolph-Macon
expanded rapidly, and in 1904 East Hall was built — the first
of many additions to the College. Main Hall’s design includes
an impressive belfry atop the three-story central pavilion. On
February 14, 1905, a 900-pound bell was hung in the tower with
great ceremony. The bell, christened “Conway” after its donor,
trustee P.V.D. Conway, has been rung for exams and ceremonies
ever since.
Today,
Main Hall houses a number of administrative offices including
the President’s Office, the Dean of the College and the Dean of
Students. Also under Main Hall’s bell tower are the Student Center,
classrooms and computer labs, and housing for 210 students.
Drawing
© 1999 Bill Harrah.
RANDOLPH-MACON
WOMAN'S COLLEGE (Click on an image to see the
actual notecard size)
