Preservation Master Plan Virginia Military Institute Lexington, Virginia PREPARED BY: JOHN MILNER ASSOCIATES, INC. West Chester, Pennsylvania Kimberly Baptiste, MUP Krista Schneider, ASLA Lori Aument Clare Adams, ASLA Jacky Taylor FINAL REPORT – JANUARY 2007 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Preservation Master Plan Virginia Military Institute The funding for the preparation of the Preservation Master Plan for Virginia Military Institute was provided by a generous grant from: The Getty Foundation Campus Heritage Grant Program Los Angeles, California Throughout the course of the planning process, John Milner Associates, Inc. was supported and assisted by many individuals who gave generously of their time and knowledge to contribute to the successful development of the Preservation Master Plan. Special thanks and acknowledgement are extended to: VMI ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS • COL Keith Gibson, Director of VMI Museum Operations and Preservation Officer, Chair • COL Bill Badgett, Professor of Fine Arts and Architecture • COL Tom Davis, Professor of History • COL Tim Hodges, Professor of Engineering • LTC Dale Brown, Director of Construction • LTC Jay Williams, Post Engineer • MAJ Dallas Clark, VMI Planning Officer VMI FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS • COL Diane Jacob, Head of Archives and Records • Mr. Rick Parker, VMI Post Draftsman OTHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • All historic images and photographs included within this report are courtesy of the Virginia Military Institute Archives. • All planning and construction documents reviewed during the course of this project were provided by the Physical Plant and Construction Departments of Virginia Military Institute. • All existing condition building and landscape images were provided by John Milner Associates, Inc. TABLE OF CONTENTS Preservation Master Plan Virginia Military Institute EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..............................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 PROJECT OVERVIEW ...........................................................................3 Background and Purpose ............................................................................................................ 3 Historic Preservation at VMI ...................................................................................................... 4 Using the Preservation Master Plan ............................................................................................ 7 How the Preservation Plan is Organized .................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER 2 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE ...................................... 11 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 11 Historic Periods ........................................................................................................................ 11 VMI’s Historical Significance ..................................................................................................38 CHAPTER 3 HISTORIC CONTEXTS .................................................................................... 41 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 41 Historic Periods and Themes ....................................................................................................41 CHAPTER 4 PRESERVATION APPROACH FOR VMI ..................................................... 67 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 67 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards ................................................................................. 68 Preservation Treatments ........................................................................................................... 72 Preservation Terminology ........................................................................................................ 74 CHAPTER 5 CULTURAL LANDCAPES AT VMI ................................................................ 77 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 77 Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 78 Character Areas ........................................................................................................................ 79 CHAPTER 6 HISTORIC BUILDINGS AT VMI .................................................................. 129 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 129 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 129 Character Areas ...................................................................................................................... 129 Historic Status Summary ........................................................................................................ 130 CHAPTER 7 LANDSCAPE TREATMENT GUIDELINES ................................................ 219 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 219 Overview of Landscape Resources ......................................................................................... 219 Chapter Overview ................................................................................................................... 220 Preservation Issues and Goals ................................................................................................ 220 Management Guidelines ......................................................................................................... 224 Landscape Treatment Recommendations ............................................................................... 227 CHAPTER 8 ARCHITECTURAL TREATMENT GUIDELINES..................................... 259 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 259 Overview of Architectural Resources ..................................................................................... 259 Applying Historic Preservation Standards .............................................................................. 260 Chapter Overview ................................................................................................................... 261 Guidelines for Building Materials .......................................................................................... 262 CHAPTER 9 GUIDELINES FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION .............................................. 321 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 321 Recommendations for Exterior Additions .............................................................................. 321 Recommendations for New Construction Projects ................................................................. 324 Recommendations for Barrier-Free Access ............................................................................ 327 Recommendations for Sustainable Design ............................................................................. 328 CHAPTER 10 ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................... 331 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 331 Overview of Existing Administrative Procedures .................................................................. 331 Chapter Overview ................................................................................................................... 332 Administrative and Management Recommendations ............................................................. 333 REFERENCES CITED ............................................................................................................ 338 VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE PRESERVATION MASTER PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The history of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) has a significant impact on the state of the Institute today; this is evident in its architecture, landscape, culture, and traditions. The VMI Post is recognized as a National Historic District and the Barracks is a National Historic Landmark. Like so many institutions with long and identifiable histories, VMI has embraced its past and recognizes that preserving its physical character is an important aspect of protecting the integrity of the Post for future cadets, faculty, staff, and visitors to enjoy and learn from. In recognition of VMI dedication to preservation and its historical roots, the Institute was awarded a Campus Heritage Grant from the Getty Foundation in 2005. The purpose of the grant was to develop a Preservation Master Plan for the Post that identified existing conditions of historic resources; made recommendations for preserving and protecting those resources; developed strategies for integrating preservation into Post-wide decision-making; and produced guidelines for caring for and maintaining the historic resources of the Post. Additional guidelines for incorporating new development