The rows of rustic rooms on the University of Virginia’s central grounds will be a bit colder this fall and winter because students won’t be allowed to light their fireplaces.
U.Va. safety inspectors have found cracks in more than 100 chimneys in rooms on the Lawn and Range in the University’s Thomas Jefferson-designed Academical Village. The problems could allow a chimney fire to spread to the roofs over the rooms, which have smoke and fire detectors but lack a fire-suppression system.
Officials at the Charlottesville school are considering whether to make repairs and install suppression equipment or to permanently end the use of the fireplaces.
Burning hearths in the Lawn and Range rooms have been a longtime tradition, even after central heat was installed in the early 20th century.
Comments
As a former resident of 8 East Lawn, I am aghast at the news that The University would even think about banning fires in the fireplaces on the Lawn and the Ranges. Mr. Jefferson would be livid if this were to happen to his Academic Village.
Phil Chen, Engineering 1968
I agree that the University should do everything within its means to continue the tradition of Lawn residents being able to make a fire in their rooms. In a time when finding a real, wood-burning fireplace in a single family home is next to impossible, this tradition should be cherished. There is nothing more romantic, enchanting, and inspiring than enjoying a beverage by a crackling fire built yourself using wood and matches.
Long time listener, first time caller ...
... I understand safety first, but fully valued a warm hearth when a student on the Range, and a guest of those on the Lawn. So I reco two considerations: 1) create a fundraising opportunity to channel donations restricted to fixing the chimneys so the Lawn and Range fires may burn bright again; and, in the interim, 2)allow the fireplaces in the Crackerbox to be used if their chimneys are sound, as that building is detached and it could create a nice locale for Grad and Underhoo students to meet until the chimneys are a “step in time.”
Wahoo-Wa,
- Peter
Program a fix and keep burning. Crackerbox should be good to go. I lived in the up room.
I hope UVA cherishes the fireplace tradition as it does its football team. There should be no delay in fixing the problem, and retaining this part of a wonderful heritage.
I am a fire-place challenged former Crackerbox resident who is aghast as the suggestion the fireplaces would be relegated to mere decoration.
What makes U.Va. unique is the quirky traditions. any university can have good departments here or there and pretty backdrops, but it is the traditions and the tactile engagement even many of us who were grad students there that makes them real. banning their use permanently would be just one more step to a generic Benneton experience instead of the U.Va. experience. You may note Benneton’s precipitous decline in the worlds of fashion and commerce in case I was not clear.
Seriously, fix the fireplaces. The chimneys should be maintained anyway for a sound building. To neglect invites other issues related to moisture, etc.
I had a feeling it was just a matter of time. I loved my fireplace in 9 West, but a bunch of bourbon-soaked undergrads are not the people I would trust to stoke fires in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In a few years, no one will remember fires were ever allowed in there, and so goes every decision unpopular with undergrads. The administrators with the 25-year careers know that if they just wait it out there will be no one left to be bitter at them eventually.
The fireplaces in those rooms must be preserved and must be working and must be usable! THis is the Lawn, for crying out loud!!
Wow, now that’s sad! 20 years ago I lived at 18 East Lawn and the fireplaces are as much an integral part of the Lawn Experience as the winter treks outdoors to the bathrooms and the brass nameplates! Is nothing sacred? Add safety features, don’t remove a core part of the experience!
If the administration is inclined to repair the chimneys and install a fire suppression system, UVA could ask alums of the lawn and range to give to a special appeal to help pay for it. The fireplace was nice to have but it was only one of many things that made living at 5 West Range a delight. In a few years HD holograms of fireplace fires will probably satisfy our nostalgia.
The fix is easy enough—metal chimney liners. Fire safety must come first—if you’ve never experienced a chimney fire, you don’t understand how terrifying it can be, with the potential threat of a building fire. In general, UVA should also invest in fire walls within the roof structure, and a sprinkler system would be a smart addition as well. It doesn’t take a faulty chimney to cause a fire—candles and oil lamps are often implicated, as can be faulty wiring. Surely the funding can be found to make an appropriate fix to allow the tradition of using the fireplaces to continue.
The 12.7 million just spent on a facility for the ridiculous marching band would have been much better spent repairing the chimneys on the Lawn and Ranges. Who is running the University?
To David… hear, hear!
Todd Koerner
BS 1986, proud inhabitant of 14 West.
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