Venable Hall
Encyclopedia
Venable Hall is a dormitory at Hampden-Sydney College
in southside Virginia. Built in sections from 1824–1830, Venable Hall is the second oldest dormitory on Hampden-Sydney's campus. The building is listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register
(1969) and on the National Register of Historic Places
(1970).
(from Raliegh, North Carolina) in the Federal style of architecture and designed to accent Cushing Hall
.
When completed in 1830, the building was the home of the Union Theological Seminary. Venable Hall provided the first seminary in the South and eventually became the head institution of the Southern Presbyterian Church
. The seminary existed in Hampden-Sydney until 1898 when it moved to its current location in Richmond
.
Subsequent to the Seminary's move to Richmond, Major Richard Venable, Hampden-Sydney Class of 1857, bought its buildings for $10,000 and gave them to the College, doubling the size of the campus. Named in his honor, Venable Hall is now a residence hall and contains the Parents & Friends Lounge, the former Seminary chapel. Graduation, typically held in May, is conducted in the front lawn of Venable Hall.
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden–Sydney College is a liberal arts college for men located in Hampden Sydney, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1775, Hampden–Sydney is the oldest private charter college in the Southern U.S., the last college founded before the American Revolution, and one of only three four-year,...
in southside Virginia. Built in sections from 1824–1830, Venable Hall is the second oldest dormitory on Hampden-Sydney's campus. The building is listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register
Virginia Landmarks Register
The Virginia Landmarks Register is a list of historic properties in the state of Virginia. The state's official list of important historic sites, it was created in 1966. The Register serves the same purpose as the National Register of Historic Places...
(1969) and on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
(1970).
History
Construction of Venable Hall began in 1824 and was completed in three separate phases by 1830. The building was designed and constructed by Dabney CosbyDabney Cosby
Dabney Cosby was an American architect and builder active primarily in Virginia and North Carolina. His earliest known work dates to the 1820s; he is known to have been active until the time of his death....
(from Raliegh, North Carolina) in the Federal style of architecture and designed to accent Cushing Hall
Cushing Hall
Cushing Hall is a dormitory at Hampden-Sydney College in southside Virginia. Built in sections from 1822–1833, Cushing Hall is the oldest four story dormitory still in use in the United States...
.
When completed in 1830, the building was the home of the Union Theological Seminary. Venable Hall provided the first seminary in the South and eventually became the head institution of the Southern Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church in the United States
The Presbyterian Church in the United States was a Protestant Christian denomination in the Southern and border states of the United States that existed from 1861 to 1983...
. The seminary existed in Hampden-Sydney until 1898 when it moved to its current location in Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
.
Subsequent to the Seminary's move to Richmond, Major Richard Venable, Hampden-Sydney Class of 1857, bought its buildings for $10,000 and gave them to the College, doubling the size of the campus. Named in his honor, Venable Hall is now a residence hall and contains the Parents & Friends Lounge, the former Seminary chapel. Graduation, typically held in May, is conducted in the front lawn of Venable Hall.