Feb. 10, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: You have already received a number of letters from local residents concerned about VMI’s plan to raze two beautiful, historic homes at the entrance to the Post. For generations, these stately houses have served as an introduction to the traditions and character of the Virginia Military Institute. In losing them, we would also lose a large part of what makes VMI special among our public universities In their place, a bulky, awkwardly designed event center will form the first impression of the historic post.
VMI is most likely willing for the houses to be moved - at someone else’s initiative, and expense. But this is hardly feasible, and does nothing to address the irreparable damage that will be done to the character of the post. We urge the VMI board of visitors, and the governor’s office which appointed them, to pause and consider a wiser approach to meeting the Institute’s evolving needs. It is not a museum, and must change with the times, but not at the expense of erasing the most valuable contributions of previous generations.
MARGARET SAMDAHL Lexington
