Dorm rooms are known for lacking personality and character and some students avoid them at all cost. If they allowed students to occupy this particular room, I am certain there would be a long waiting line to reside here — it's Edgar Allan Poe's former dorm room at the University of Virginia.
Over 100 years ago, the president of the university assigned the upkeep of the poet's dorm to the Raven Society, which is named after Poe's most famous work and recognizes academic excellence. The room has undergone renovation twice and requires periodic cleaning — the window looking into the dorm frequently has smudges from students trying to sneak a peak. I know where I will be visiting on my next trip to Virginia.
MORE INFO: UVA Magazine
MORE DORM ROOMS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
Images: The University of Virginia Magazine, Wikimedia Commons, Captain Sugar High
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Wow, would you look at the thickness of that mattress.
I love that a dorm room used to be a quill and candlestick — no mini-fridges, entertainment centers or beds-in-a-bag!
I used to live in Charlottesville, and these dorm rooms are among the most coveted in all of UVA's campus. They wrap around the outside of a lawn, and are steps from the Rotunda and gardens. His door is open, but there is glass blocking the entry. You can look in, but as stated above, its often smudged from others pressing their faces against the glass.
It should also be noted that he got KICKED OUT of UVA! ;)
This was one of the coolest things I saw last time I was in Virginia. And, yeah, I THOUGHT he was kicked out, nnssls.
I think the coveted dorms in the rest of that building are awarded based on GPA. Talk about incentive!
LOVE this room, esp the floorboards.
Thought-provoking photos...Poe's said to have "invented" the modern murder mystery genre. I wonder whether he would have been a better or a worse writer without the chronic substance abuse.
UVA's lawn rooms are amazing. Jefferson designed the rotunda and accompanying pavilions to incorporate various architecture themes so the buildings itself could be used as a teaching tool. And the rooms that students live in on the lawn and on the range are literally that small. They have to walk outside rain or shine to use the facilities.
wahoowa :)
Charlottesville in general is great. Beautiful greenery, some great restaurants using locally-sourced ingredients, plus the old architecture of UVA...
I love this room too. no non sense and it has a great feel. Reminds me of Diego Rivera's house in Guanajuato which is about 123 years old.
wahoowa, gretchen and hoos
@nnssls - The UVA article (linked above) notes "He studied at U.Va. for just one year before leaving due to insufficient support from his benefactor, John Allan." More over, it states that the college might have been a good match for Allan and his budding talent, had he been able to stay.
Classic Edgar move of unfortunate events!
I can't imagine the pain of waking up on that mattress.
I didn't realize poe's dorm was one of the ones on the lawn. I can now say that I've run past poe's dorm naked.
I would have expected a crow in the room. Much for studious than the dorm's of today.
It takes more than a good GPA to be awarded one of those rooms. I believe there is a nomination process that takes into consideration not only GPA, but community involvement, extracurricular activities, other honors, and the general UVA character requirements of ethics and responsibility. To be awarded a Lawn room is certainly an honor, even if you have to walk outside to get to the bathroom.
Wahoowa!