Lee as President of Washington College

During their visit, students will learn about Robert E. Lee's life after the Civil War. After the war, Lee came to Lexington, Virginia, to become Washington College's 11^th president. A school that was once saved from financial ruin by George Washington, was again in need of help. Students will learn how Lee used human, natural and capital resources, introduced an entirely new educational concept - a system of majors and electives - to the school's curriculum, the honor system, and the construction of the college's chapel to advance a suffering school.

The visit is split into two parts. During the first portion of their visit, students will join a guided tour of the auditorium and statue chamber. On the lower level, students will participate in a STEAM-themed scavenger hunt.

Grade 4	Grade 5	Grade 6	Grade 7
English: 4.1, Intro 4.4, Intro 4.5.	English: 5.1, Intro 5.5, Intro 5.6.	English: 6.1, Intro 6.5.	English: Intro 7.1, 7.2, Intro 7.5.
Science: Intro 4.2, 4.7.	Science: Intro 5.3.	Science: Intro 6.8.
History and Social Science: Intro VS.7b, Intro VS.8a.	History and Social Science: Intro USI.9a, Intro USI. 9d.	History and Social Science: Intro USII.3c	History and Social Science: Intro CE.3d, Intro CE.4 a, b, c, d, e, f, g.

Find more information on the SOLs covered during this tour.

Teachers may also download pre- and post-visit activities do to in conjunction with their field study. If your class can not schedule a visit with us, Lee Chapel has provided a full lesson that can be conducted in the classroom.

Pre-visit Activities Post-visit Activities Full lesson

Contact Information

Lee Chapel & Museum
(540) 458-8768
Email:
leechapel@wlu.edu
Hours:
April 1 to Oct. 31: Mon-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 1-5
Nov. 1 to March 31: Mon-Sat. 9-4, Sun. 1-4
The Lee Chapel and Museum is closed: Easter Sunday, noon on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day through the following Saturday, and Dec. 24 - Jan. 1

COVID-19 Closing

On Saturday, March 14, Washington and Lee University adopted several policies based on the most current guidance from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The purpose of these policies is to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus to the greatest extent possible by limiting our community's contact with individuals who may have been exposed to the virus and with those who are at the highest risk from exposure.

Based on the most recent recommendations of the VDH and CDC and the example set by fellow educational institutions in Virginia, President Will Dudley has announced that Washington and Lee University will be taking a two-week recess before transitioning to virtual instruction with classes resuming March 30. During this time, the W&L campus will be closed to all visitors and all events will be postponed/cancelled.

In accordance with these policies and the actions of many of our museum colleagues along the East Coast, the Museums at W&L – Lee Chapel & Museum, the Reeves Museum, and Watson Gallery – will be closed and will not reopen until it is safe to do so. The Reeves Center and Watson Pavilion will be open only by appointment for W&L faculty, staff, and students with a valid W&L ID.

Even during these uncertain and unsettling times, the Museums at W&L remain committed to the mission of advancing learning through education and engagement with collections. Museums staff will be working particularly diligently towards the goal of providing as much digital content for our audiences as possible while the museum doors are closed to the public. For this and future operational updates, be sure to follow our Facebook (facebook.com/wlu.museums) and Instagram (@wlu.museums) pages and reach out with any questions through direct message or by emailing rwilliams@wlu.edu.

Lee as President of Washington College

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7