Well, hello blog readers! My name is Grace and I’m a ~special guest~ this week courtesy
of my friend Brynna. I’m here to talk about why OLD Dorms are definitely the best dorms on
grounds. “Old Dorms” are located on McCormick Road, right across from the Chemistry
Building and Gilmer Hall. There are ten old dorms (some are connected making only six
actual buildings), but this year four of those will be under construction. For those of you living
in Bonnycastle, Kent, or Dabney, congratulations. YOU are getting the best of both worlds
(great interiors AND great location) and, therefore, this article may be a bit less relevant. I
lived in the magnificent building of Hancock which is still standing in its original state along
with Metcalf and Lefevre. These three buildings will be renovated during the 2019-2020 school
year so to all incoming residents, cherish your time as the LAST students ever to live in the
hallowed halls of true “old dorms”. Alright, enough with the context let’s get to what you all
came for:
of my friend Brynna. I’m here to talk about why OLD Dorms are definitely the best dorms on
grounds. “Old Dorms” are located on McCormick Road, right across from the Chemistry
Building and Gilmer Hall. There are ten old dorms (some are connected making only six
actual buildings), but this year four of those will be under construction. For those of you living
in Bonnycastle, Kent, or Dabney, congratulations. YOU are getting the best of both worlds
(great interiors AND great location) and, therefore, this article may be a bit less relevant. I
lived in the magnificent building of Hancock which is still standing in its original state along
with Metcalf and Lefevre. These three buildings will be renovated during the 2019-2020 school
year so to all incoming residents, cherish your time as the LAST students ever to live in the
hallowed halls of true “old dorms”. Alright, enough with the context let’s get to what you all
came for:
- They’ve got character
Yes, this may have been the only positive descriptor my mom could think of the day she
moved me in, but it’s honestly so true. So many people have lived in these exact same
buildings through the years, and it’s a unique tradition to feel a part of. In my last week of
school, a woman who lived in my room in 1985 came to visit with her kids! So cool! Also,
my dad lived in the building next door (Bonnycastle) when he was at UVA (class of ‘90).
Living just like he did gave us a really unique experience to share, even though we’re 30
years apart.
moved me in, but it’s honestly so true. So many people have lived in these exact same
buildings through the years, and it’s a unique tradition to feel a part of. In my last week of
school, a woman who lived in my room in 1985 came to visit with her kids! So cool! Also,
my dad lived in the building next door (Bonnycastle) when he was at UVA (class of ‘90).
Living just like he did gave us a really unique experience to share, even though we’re 30
years apart.
A beautifully labeled image of the 10 old dorms. The front four, Echols, Humphreys, Emmett, and Page will
be closed this year. Last year, Bonnycastle, Dabney, and Kent were renovated. Lefevre, Metcalf, and Hancock
remain the last of the true Old Dorms. Photo courtesy of Housing and Residence Life.
be closed this year. Last year, Bonnycastle, Dabney, and Kent were renovated. Lefevre, Metcalf, and Hancock
remain the last of the true Old Dorms. Photo courtesy of Housing and Residence Life.
- Open Windows
So this may start as a fix for the lack of air conditioning, but it’s so nice! I loved feeling the
outside breeze when the wind was blowing, hearing the rain at night, practically feeling the
snow fall, etc. Rooms rarely get stuffy or stale because fans are continuously blowing fresh
air in and out (PRO TIP: face one fan out and one fan in and it creates a beautiful natural air
circulation system). Also, it was fun to be able to hear all of the fun things happening in the
old dorms quad. Dorm sing by one of the acapella groups? Huge game of frisbee? Friends
leaving without us as we scramble to get ready? All can be heard through the beautifully
screened windows of old dorms.
outside breeze when the wind was blowing, hearing the rain at night, practically feeling the
snow fall, etc. Rooms rarely get stuffy or stale because fans are continuously blowing fresh
air in and out (PRO TIP: face one fan out and one fan in and it creates a beautiful natural air
circulation system). Also, it was fun to be able to hear all of the fun things happening in the
old dorms quad. Dorm sing by one of the acapella groups? Huge game of frisbee? Friends
leaving without us as we scramble to get ready? All can be heard through the beautifully
screened windows of old dorms.
An incredibly awkward photo of me (right) and my roommate-turned-best-friend, Elizabeth, on move-in day
feat. our open window
feat. our open window
- Location, Location Location
This goes without saying: old dorms have BY FAR the best location of any student housing
on grounds (except for Brown College and The Lawn). For reference, last semester I had a
9am lecture in Ruffner Hall (home of the Curry school) and I left my dorm no later than 8:55
every Monday and Wednesday and always arrived early. Crazy stuff.
on grounds (except for Brown College and The Lawn). For reference, last semester I had a
9am lecture in Ruffner Hall (home of the Curry school) and I left my dorm no later than 8:55
every Monday and Wednesday and always arrived early. Crazy stuff.
Read it and weep, New Dorms (and Gooch/Dillard). Photo Courtesy of Maps.
- The Castle
I didn’t have this last year because it was under construction but I’ve visited it this summer
and it looks AMAZING! It’ll be so nice to have food right outside of your door instead of having
to walk to OHill, Newcomb, or Crossroads (lovingly known as Croads).
and it looks AMAZING! It’ll be so nice to have food right outside of your door instead of having
to walk to OHill, Newcomb, or Crossroads (lovingly known as Croads).
Latest rendering of the soon-to-be Castle in the basement of Bonnycastle (peep Dabney in the background).
Photo courtesy of Facilities Management.
Photo courtesy of Facilities Management.
- Stairs!
Okay this doesn’t sound great, but hear me out. I was on the third floor of my building
(Hancock 3R let’s gooooo) and my legs/booty were DEFINITELY feeling (and looking better
because of) the work. Don’t have time to get to the gym? No worries! Just climb up to your
room!
(Hancock 3R let’s gooooo) and my legs/booty were DEFINITELY feeling (and looking better
because of) the work. Don’t have time to get to the gym? No worries! Just climb up to your
room!
Couldn’t find a picture of stairs so here’s a picture of my Hancock friends at our first football game!
My head is the one cut off in the back oops.
- Fun stories
From hidden objects in the ceiling tiles of First Left to the leftover urinals on girls’ floors from
pre-coeducation to other myths and legends about past residents, the “character” of these
buildings leads to some great stories. With 70 classes of first-year UVA students passing
through these dorms, you know there will be some fun mementos and reminders left behind.
pre-coeducation to other myths and legends about past residents, the “character” of these
buildings leads to some great stories. With 70 classes of first-year UVA students passing
through these dorms, you know there will be some fun mementos and reminders left behind.
- ~Social~ ~Atmosphere~
Something about being in closer quarters with shared bathrooms (with your WHOLE floor,
not just your hall) and the sometimes odd conditions of old dorms forges some incredible
friendships. Maybe it’s that you can’t get out of the building without walking through every floor?
Maybe it’s that if one room is blasting music you can pretty much hear it everywhere else?
Maybe it’s that few people lock their door after the first week of classes (I mean the doors are
locked with a physical key… almost nobody keeps up with it after a few days)? Or maybe it’s
just because they specially place the cool kids in old dorms (eat it Brynna), but some of my
best friends during first year (and now into second year) are Hancock residents (Boolcock
forever, baby).
not just your hall) and the sometimes odd conditions of old dorms forges some incredible
friendships. Maybe it’s that you can’t get out of the building without walking through every floor?
Maybe it’s that if one room is blasting music you can pretty much hear it everywhere else?
Maybe it’s that few people lock their door after the first week of classes (I mean the doors are
locked with a physical key… almost nobody keeps up with it after a few days)? Or maybe it’s
just because they specially place the cool kids in old dorms (eat it Brynna), but some of my
best friends during first year (and now into second year) are Hancock residents (Boolcock
forever, baby).
Some of my best friends from this year, most of whom lived in my dorm <3
Like every other UVA student, I will always be fiercely loyal to my first-year dorm. If anybody
reading this is lucky enough to live in Hancock, I salute you and hope our paths cross sometime
this year. No matter where you end up living your first year, though, the dorm experience is
guaranteed to bring you new friends, crazy stories, and an appreciation for privacy. If you have
any questions about old dorms, want to unsuccessfully convince me that new dorms are better,
or just want to chat, you can email me at gvt3gd@virginia.edu. As Brynna so eloquently wrote,
“People make a place a home, and for that reason you will always have a home in your first year dorm.”
reading this is lucky enough to live in Hancock, I salute you and hope our paths cross sometime
this year. No matter where you end up living your first year, though, the dorm experience is
guaranteed to bring you new friends, crazy stories, and an appreciation for privacy. If you have
any questions about old dorms, want to unsuccessfully convince me that new dorms are better,
or just want to chat, you can email me at gvt3gd@virginia.edu. As Brynna so eloquently wrote,
“People make a place a home, and for that reason you will always have a home in your first year dorm.”
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