The Rotunda
The exterior of The Rotunda in March 2014.
Ruffner Hall is located in Virginia
Ruffner Hall
Location in Virginia
Former namesCollege Building, Ruffner Hall
General information
Architectural styleJeffersonian
Address201 High Street
Town or cityFarmville, Virginia
CountryUnited States
Coordinates37°18′4.25″N 78°23′45″W / 37.3011806°N 78.39583°W / 37.3011806; -78.39583
Current tenantsLongwood University
GroundbreakingDecember 12, 2002 (reconstruction)[2]
Construction started1839 (original)[1]
Completed1907 (original)[1]
OpenedApril 23, 2005 (reconstruction)[3]
DestroyedApril 24, 2001 (original)[4]
Cost$17.9 million
($26.8 million in 2022 dollars[5])
OwnerLongwood University
Technical details
Floor area83,143 sq ft (7,724.2 m2)[1]
Design and construction
Architecture firmKuntz & Associates of Alexandria (reconstruction)[1]
Main contractorEnglish 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.[1]

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.[6]

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.[7]

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.[7]

Jeanne d'Arc in 2005.

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.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Longwood to rededicate new Ruffner Hall and Rotunda in April 23 ceremony" (Press release). Longwood University. April 6, 2005. Archived from the original on November 16, 2005. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  2. ^ "Longwood celebrates groundbreaking for flagship Ruffner Hall" (Press release). Longwood University. December 12, 2002. Archived from the original on September 1, 2003. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  3. ^ "The Rededication of Ruffner Hall and the Rotunda" (Press release). Longwood University. April 23, 2005. Archived from the original on November 16, 2005. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  4. ^ "Fire at Longwood College-- Historic Ruffner Hall" (Press release). Longwood University. April 25, 2001. Archived from the original on August 4, 2002. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  5. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  6. ^ Jordan, James. "Once Upon a Time in the Rotunda: The Presence of the Past". Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "The Great Fire of 2001: The Blaze, the Aftermath & The Recovery - A Timeline". Longwood University. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
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