University Chapel & Galleries

"This is a beautiful place with such great craftsmanship. Lots of history. Not handicap friendly steps involved. Definitely need to see from the front doors looking onto a beautiful campus to looking into the chapel."

"Awe inspiring! So impressive. The recumbent statue of Robert E. Lee is sheer perfection. Excellent artwork in Museum. Seeing Lee's office pretty much as he left it was like stepping back in history."

"Lee Chapel & Museum is a National Historic Landmark on Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. It was constructed during 1867–68 at the request of Robert E. Lee, who was president of the school (then known as Washington College), and after whom the university is, in part, named. The Victorian brick architectural design was probably the work of his son, George Washington Custis Lee, with details contributed by Col. Thomas Williamson, an architect and professor of engineering at the neighboring Virginia Military Institute. Upon completion and during Robert E. Lee's lifetime it was known as the College Chapel. Lee was buried beneath the chapel in 1870. In 1883 the University made an addition to the building to house the memorial sculpture of “Recumbent Lee” by Edward Valentine and a family crypt in the lower level, where the president's remains were placed. His wife, mother, father his children and other relatives are now buried in the crypt as well. The remains of his beloved horse, Traveller, are located outside the museum entrance. The chapel was officially renamed from Lee Chapel on June 4, 2022 by the university's "woke" board of trustees and given its current name. But if you still enjoy American history I encourage you to stop in for a visit. If American history offends though, you I'd stay away."

"Very historical chapel formerly known as the Lee Memorial Chapel, it is where he and his family are interred, and was partly constructed by Lee as a place to gather (instead of explicitly a church/chapel). There is a statue/monument to him constructed after he passed. There are some docents to help you out, but it otherwise is self-guided. Definitely worth a stop for Southerns, Americans, and history-fans all the same. Cheers."

"Small chapel and small museum. Nice memorabilia and artifacts in the museum, though. Unfortunately, the guides are way too eager to share their knowledge and want to talk and follow you around. You have no opportunity to sit, silent, take in, imagine, remember, appreciate. The chapel guide seemed offended that we visited the museum first, as she wanted to tell us about that as well. Parking lot is a bit of a walk, feels even further in this horrible summer heat. Worth a visit, just understand there's no chance for reflection."