Whitehurst
Site: North side of campus, off of Richmond Way
Completed: Fall, 1998
Architect: Marcellus Wright, Cox and Smith
Size: 11,000 square feet
Dedication: October 29, 1998
This building was designed to be both a gateway and the “living room” of the Richmond College community. Whitehurst houses the Richmond College Dean’s Office and provides social and meeting space for all University of Richmond students.
The architecture of Whitehurst is modeled after Thomas Hall and Jeter Hall, two of the original campus buildings. It features the same distinctive brick and limestone construction with stucco and half-timbering, a slate roof and attractive copper details. Whitehurst also boasts an attractive 52-foot clock tower, which chimes on the hour.
The building’s floor plan is based on historic models for porter’s lodges and gate houses. The large entry passage and tower indicate the entrance to the college. To the left of this entry passage is the section of the building that will remain open 24 hours a day for student use. It includes a game room with two billiard tables and an air hockey table, as well as an upscale vending and food service area. The residence life duty office, which is staffed every night by a resident assistant, is also located in this section. On the upper level, there are individual and group study rooms.
To the right of the passage are the building’s meeting rooms, which are located off a columned gallery that opens through three large French windows to the green beyond. The largest of the meeting rooms is a living room, which features a gas fireplace and a timbered ceiling. The adjacent medium-size meeting room will accommodate groups of 25-35, and the smaller room is intended for groups of 15-25 students.
The upper level is accessible by traversing an open stairway under the tower. The second floor houses the offices of the dean of Richmond College, along with a student study area.
In summer 1999, John Hoogakker, director of University Facilities was reading a book about the history of Alaska. He recognized the name of one of the ships that transported settlers to the new state as matching the inscription on the bell that was purchased for Whitehurst tower. The inscription read “USAT ST. MIHIEL.” Hoogakker corresponded with Gerry Keeling who was president of the historical society in Palmer, Alaska the town where the St. Mihiel docked with the colonists. The University and the historical society worked together to arrange for bell to removed from Whitehurst and sent to Palmer, Alaska. The university received a replacement.
Whitehurst was made possible by an estate gift from John D. Whitehurst Jr., a faithful alumnus, business leader, and distinguished citizen. Mr. Whitehurst graduated from Richmond College in 1927 and the Richmond Law School in 1931. He was born in 1905 in Moyock, North Carolina. His brothers, Lawrence R’23 and Stuart R’24 also attended the University of Richmond. Mr. Whitehurst retired in 1970 as a senior vice-president with First and Merchants Bank. He died in 1994.
Sources:
UR website
VBHS building file
Whitehurst dedication program
Collegian 1998 – 2000