University History
Founded in 1749 as Augusta Academy in Augusta County, Virginia, Washington and Lee University is the ninth-oldest college in the United States. Over the course of its history, the institution has been known by several names: Liberty Hall Academy (1776), Washington Academy (1796), Washington College (1813), and Washington and Lee University (1870). Its name reflects the contributions of President George Washington, whose gift rescued the struggling Liberty Hall Academy in 1796 and Robert E. Lee, who served as president of Washington College following the Civil War from 1865 to his death in 1870.
Originally an all-male institution, Washington and Lee first admitted women to its law school in 1972. The first undergraduate women matriculated in 1985. Today, Washington and Lee is nationally recognized as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the United States.
Specific chapters of the University’s rich and complex history – particularly those related to our namesakes – have been chronicled in museum and gallery spaces, including University Chapel, and through historical markers on campus for close to a century. In 2018, the university committed to creating an Institutional History Museum to serve as an educational resource for the W&L community and the broader public, telling the full and rich history of the university, its people, traditions, and impact throughout the arc of the nation’s history.
Fundraising is currently underway for the new facility, which will be built on the university’s front campus near the intersection of Jefferson St. and Washington St.
Our Namesakes
Washington and Lee University’s name recognizes the pivotal roles of George Washington and Robert E. Lee in the institution’s history — Washington for his gift that rescued the struggling school in the 18th century and Lee for his transformative presidency of Washington College from 1865 to 1870.
Institutional History Museum
Our comprehensive, modern museum located steps from Lexington’s historic downtown will share Washington and Lee’s complete history while highlighting the university’s connections to American history for the campus community and public. The museum will display many of the university’s notable collections and historical works of art, of which many have never been previously displayed. With more convenient and centralized access to these works, faculty and students will more effectively incorporate them into classroom discussions, academic research and additional educational programming.
University Chronology
See how our institution has evolved over 250 years.