Washington and Lee’s University Chapel closed for renovations on Oct. 4. It won’t reopen until the spring of 2026.
The process will include updates to the building’s fire safety and HVAC systems, according to the Columns. The lower-level gallery will also undergo changes, Institutional History Director Matt Davis said.
“The lower-level gallery, which was originally installed in 2007, will be refreshed to house an exhibition on the complete history of the chapel,” Davis said in an email to the Phi. The new downstairs exhibit will feature a new lighting system, according to the Columns.
The chapel’s history goes back to the late 1860s, according to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources website. The university constructed the chapel in 1867 with input from Robert E. Lee, the website said.
The building appears on the National Register of Historic Places, which refers to it as Lee Chapel. VDHR also uses Lee Chapel. Washington and Lee started calling the building University Chapel in 2021.
“University Chapel is an important part of the university’s history,” Davis said. “The exhibitions in the chapel allow for an exploration of the history of the building and its artifacts, along with the history associated with President Robert E. Lee.”
The chapel was also renovated in 2023, when the university installed a wall blocking Lee’s memorial statue from view in the main auditorium. The wall sparked controversy, according to previous reporting by the Phi.
Davis said the chapel is one of two buildings on campus associated with the “Institutional Museum and Galleries.” The other, Washington Hall, features two galleries with art and artifacts related to George Washington.
A proposed third building, the Institutional History Museum itself, has been a part of Washington and Lee’s strategic plan since 2018. But the university hasn’t announced a start date for the project, according to previous reporting by the Phi.
Davis said he’s working on developing a visitor experience plan that will focus on the galleries and interior design of the museum. He said he will distribute more information to the campus community soon, including information on how they can get involved.
“We hope the campus community participates in this important part of the museum’s planning process,” he said.
