May 1, 2006

VCU's Egyptian Building commemorated with historic marker

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By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Egyptian Building, a state and national landmark considered one of the finest examples of Egyptian Revival architecture in the United States, has been commemorated with a roadside marker.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources Roadside Marker was unveiled and dedicated during a ceremony April 28 near the corner of Marshall and College streets on the MCV Campus. The building is located at 1301 E. Marshall St. Representatives from VCU, the MCV Foundation, the VCU Alumni Association and VCU Historic Resources attended.

“This really is sacred ground,” said VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., "I thank all of our students, faculty, staff and alumni who work to preserve our history."

The effort to locate a historic marker at the site began with a group of students, alumni and faculty members who are involved in a secret philanthropic society called the Junto Society (of the Medical College of Virginia Campus at Virginia Commonwealth University.) This organization recognizes physicians, scientists and students on the MCV Campus for extraordinary achievements, altruistic endeavors and community involvement.

Junto received approval for the marker last fall, and VCU paid $1,350 to create and install it.

"This is a very special day for the VCU/MCV community and it’s a special day for the Egyptian Building,” said Marc Wagner, manager, national and state register and architectural historian for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. “The Egyptian Building is only one of 118 things in Virginia to receive National Historic Landmark status. That’s the crème de la crème.”

The marker text reads:

EGYPTIAN BUILDING SA-72

In Oct. 1844, Hampden-Sydney College’s medical department first held classes in this Egyptian Revival structure designed by Philadelphia architect Thomas S. Stewart. Completed in 1846, it provided educational and clinical facilities for the medical school, which later became a centerpiece of the Medical College of Virginia. It is now part of Virginia Commonwealth University. The structure, named the Egyptian Building in 1927, was extensively renovated twelve years later to carry the Egyptian style to the interior. As one of the nation’s finest examples of the Egyptian Revival style, the Egyptian Building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
Department of Historic Resources, 2005