Law School Building
Site: On Richmond Way, near north entrance to campus
Construction began: October, 1952
Dedication: October 15, 1954
Architect: Carneal & Johnston
Size: 109,299 square feet after renovations in 1972 and 1991
Students first attended classes at the newly-opened law school of Richmond College on October 10, 1870 . The first faculty members were Judge William Green, Judge J. D. Halyburton, and Dr. J. L. M. Curry. The law school was originally housed on the old campus at what is now Grace and Lombardy . In 1914, it moved to the first floor of Ryland Hall on the new campus only to return to the Columbia Building on the old campus in 1918. Dean William T. Muse emphasized the need for a new facility citing lack of space for law library collections and the fact that the facility was regularly criticized by the accrediting teams which periodically inspected the school.
A banquet was held on February 2, 1951 at the Hotel Jefferson to launch a campaign to raise funds for the construction of a new law school building on the University of Richmond campus. Mr. G. Justin Moore, former law school faculty member, was chairman of the drive. The goal of this initial campaign was to raise $150,000, half from Richmond businesses, and half from law school alumni. Eventually $400,000 was supplied by fund raising efforts and income from the T.C. Williams trust fund.
Construction on the new building began in October, 1952. In keeping with the campus standard this building was designed in the Collegiate Gothic style. A Collegian article dated October 17, 1952 describes the plans for the new building. First floor: The library, one classroom, and a student lounge, as well as various administrative and faculty member's office, will be housed on the first floor. Second floor: A courtroom, two classrooms, and a seminar room will be placed on this floor. Third floor: A student conference room and a second seminar room, together with a large classroom will be incorporated into the third floor.
In his book The Pursuit of Excellence: A History of the University of Richmond Law School, David Mays reports that the law school moved from the Columbia Building to the campus in September, 1954 opening the year in their new quarters. He declared that the building was judged handsome, modern, and utilitarian.
The building dedication was held on October 15, 1954 at time the area was being hit by Hurricane Hazel which brought heavy winds and rain. The Honorable Edward W. Hudgins, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia , presided of the morning ceremony. The building was presented by T. Justin Moore, Rector, and accepted by Dr. George Modlin, President. Dean William Muse gave a dedication address entitled, Four Score and Four. Dean Erwin Griswold, of Harvard Law School , gave a convocation address at noon in the Canon Memorial Chapel. Mays reports, as distinguished guests were moved from one building to another, students would form a solid wall from automobile to entrance holding against the gale and driving rain interlocking umbrellas as effectively as once was done with the shields by a Roman legion.
Additions to the building were made on the west side in 1972 and the east side in 1991.
The 1972 addition cost approximately $750,000. The new space was intended to enable the law school to expand enrollment. Enrollment in 1972 was approximately 243 students up from 191 in 1971. For the fall of 1974 Dean Wren hoped to have 350 student enrolled. The new wing included two new classrooms with a seating capacity of 108 and seven new faculty offices. Library reading room space was doubled and a recreation room added. The new wing was dedicated on April 14, 1973 . Justice Harry L. Carrico, of the Supreme Court of Virginia, delivered the dedicatory address. The 1991 addition added 47,000 square feet to the building including significant expansion of the law library. The library expansion included a provision of space for individual study carrels for each student. Carrels were to be 16 to 18 square feet and have network jacks and storage space. A new entrance plaza, a technology enhanced moot court room, five classrooms, and new administrative areas were included in the plans. The 1991 expansion project was budgeted at approximately $9 million and was completed ahead of schedule.
Sources:
Alley, Reuben E. History of the University of Richmond , 1830-1971
Mays, David J. The Pursuit of Excellence : A History of the University of Richmond Law School
UR website
Collegian 1952-1954, 1972, 1992