Skylark
By Rose Gordon and Justin Stockdale '99
Skylark History
Skylark Use
How to Get There
Skylark
Skylark, Washington and Lee’s mountaintop
retreat, is a unique and prized asset to the University. Located
on the southern face of 3,300-foot Round Top (summit
piture), the 365-acre plot encompasses a working farm containing
more than 15,000 Christmas trees (tree farm
picture) ,a fishing lake, a tennis court, and a picnic pavilion.
Not only does Skylark supply the University with all of its Christmas
trees, but in recent years individuals have been allowed to visit
Skylark and cut their own. Skylark’s grounds serve as
the setting for a cluster of buildings: the main house, the manager’s
house, guest quarters, and conference facilities. These characteristics
of the property make Skylark the perfect setting for the many
meetings, retreats, and conferences which are held there each
year.
The individuals responsible for the design, construction, and subsequent donation of Skylark to the University are none other than Leslie Cheek, Jr. and his wife Mary Tyler Cheek, two renowned members of Virginian society. The farm was given to the university in 1977 in memory of Mrs. Cheek’s father, Douglas Southall Freeman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of George Washington and Robert E. Lee.
Leslie Cheek, Jr., an accomplished student of architecture and stage design at Harvard and Yale Universities, worked in conjunction with Charlottesville architect Thomas Craven when designing Skylark. Construction of Skylark, which was formerly Fauber Farm, began in 1969. By 1974, construction of Skylark’s centerpiece, the “Big House”, was ready to begin. Sadly, Mr. Cheek’s ailing health prevented this event from coming to pass. In 1977 the Cheeks donated the property to the University with the intent that it be used for discussion and assembly (Picture of Cheeks and Douglaas Freeman).
Today, Skylark is as much a part of Washington
and Lee as the Colonnade or Lee Chapel. One need only visit
this unique and beautiful farm in order to understand what an
asset it is to the University.
Skylark Use
The Conference Center and Picnic and Recreational
Area can be reserved by contacting:
Phyllis Hostetter
Morris/Castle House Coordinator
Morris House
phostetter@wlu.edu
540-458-8781
Morris House
Bookings are accepted on a "first
come first served" basis. Weather Permitting (the Blue
Ridge parkway is closed because of inclimate weather in the winter) Skylark
is open for use from April-November.
The main room of the center is set in casual style and opens up to a large deck. The room can be adapted to an auditorium or conference style setting. A podium, dry erase board, easel and VCR are available for use.
The kitchen is small with limited equipment; therefore, it is advisable for the host to provide easily prepared food. A grill on the deck is available. Coffee, tea, ice and charcoal are provided.
The sleeping accommodations
are as follows:
2 dorm rooms- each
has two double bunk beds (sleeps 8 people)
1 small room-
1 double bunk bed (sleeps 2 people)
1 bedroom- 2
twin beds (sleeps 2 people)
Sleeping bags may be used to accommodate
a total of 20 people. Towels and bed linens are provided
This is available for booking from April 15 to November 1 of each year. It includes a picnic shelter with fireplace (tables, charis and grills furnished), a tennis court , hiking trails,a nd a stocked fishing pond. It is ideal for laarger group outings (picture).
Overnight camping campfires,
and amplified equipment are not permitted. No pets.
How to Get
There
Take US 11 north or I-81 north
to Steeles Tavern. Turn right onto Rt 56 to Vesuvius. Stay
on Rt 56 upto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then turn right on
the parkway and drive approx. 2 miles just past milepost 25. Skylark
is on your right.
Road Map
Text adapted from the Skylark information booklet, published 1989.
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