The Rotunda (Longwood University) Explained

The Rotunda
Map Type:Virginia
Coordinates:37.3012°N -78.3958°W
Former Names:College Building, Ruffner Hall
Architectural Style:Jeffersonian
Address:201 High Street
Location City:Farmville, Virginia
Location Country:United States
Current Tenants:Longwood University
Start Date:1839 (original)
Completion Date:1907 (original)
Groundbreaking Date:December 12, 2002 (reconstruction)[1]
Opened Date:April 23, 2005 (reconstruction)[2]
Destruction Date:April 24, 2001 (original)[3]
Owner:Longwood University
Architecture Firm:Kuntz & Associates of Alexandria (reconstruction)[4]
Floor Area:83143square feet
Cost:$17.9 million
($ in dollars)
Main Contractor:English Construction Company of Lynchburg (reconstruction)

The Rotunda is the name given to a building on the campus of Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. It was formerly known as Ruffner Hall, but the name was changed in 2019. The original Rotunda was built in 1839 and gradually expanded along with the school over several decades, to eventually include its iconic rotunda dome, until its completion in 1907. The building was eventually destroyed in a fire on April 24, 2001. The then-Longwood College began to rebuild the structure, and it was reopened just before the fourth anniversary of the fire, on April 23, 2005. The new Rotunda, in contrast to the old, has a basement to increase instructional space.[4]

History

Historically, the Rotunda was the college campus, prior to the school expanding west and south in the mid-twentieth century, including serving as both residence hall and classrooms. In the closing days of the American Civil War, High Street and the then-Farmville Female College saw both Confederate forces escaping the Battle of Sailor's Creek towards Appomattox Court House, and the Union Army following them.[5]

At the time of what became known as the "Great Fire of 2001," Ruffner Hall was undergoing an extensive renovation, and there were no people or historically significant artifacts in the building. The fire also severely damaged surrounding buildings, leading to the demolition and reconstruction of next-door Grainger Hall, and renovations of four dormitories.[6]

One noted architectural feature is a slate front step at the front door of the building, which had an indentation worn into it from thousands of students walking across it over decades. Following the fire, the damaged step was located, and a replica was installed in the reconstructed Rotunda.[6]

Art

The centerpiece of the Rotunda is a reproduction of a sculpture of Joan of Arc by Henri Chapu, titled Joan of Arc Listening to the Voices, but popularly known as "Joanie on the Stony." The Rotunda dome itself contains four lunettes as well as paintings of Thomas Jefferson, Horace Mann, William Henry Ruffner, and Jabez Lamar Monroe Curry.

Notes and References

  1. Longwood celebrates groundbreaking for flagship Ruffner Hall . December 12, 2002 . . May 11, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20030901004639/http://www.longwood.edu/news/releases/ruffnergroundbreaking.html . September 1, 2003 .
  2. The Rededication of Ruffner Hall and the Rotunda . April 23, 2005 . . May 11, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20051116184736/http://www.longwood.edu/news/events/ruffnerrededication/Ruffner-Site/SitePages/Virtual-Reunion/photogallery.htm. November 16, 2005.
  3. Fire at Longwood College-- Historic Ruffner Hall . April 25, 2001 . . May 11, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20020804013152/http://www.longwood.edu/news/releases/ruffnerfire2b.html . August 4, 2002 .
  4. Longwood to rededicate new Ruffner Hall and Rotunda in April 23 ceremony . April 6, 2005 . . May 11, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20051116052053/http://www.longwood.edu/news/releases/ruffnerrededication.html . November 16, 2005 .
  5. Web site: Once Upon a Time in the Rotunda: The Presence of the Past . James . Jordan . May 11, 2015.
  6. Web site: The Great Fire of 2001: The Blaze, the Aftermath & The Recovery - A Timeline . . May 11, 2015.