Skylark, Washington and Lee’s mountaintop retreat, is a unique and prized asset to the University. Located on the southern face of 3,300-foot Round Top (summit piture), the 365-acre plot encompasses a working farm containing more than 15,000 Christmas trees (tree farm picture) ,a fishing lake, a tennis court, and a picnic pavilion. Not only does Skylark supply the University with all of its Christmas trees, but in recent years individuals have been allowed to visit Skylark and cut their own. Skylark’s grounds serve as the setting for a cluster of buildings: the main house, the manager’s house, guest quarters, and conference facilities. These characteristics of the property make Skylark the perfect setting for the many meetings, retreats, and conferences which are held there each year.
The individuals responsible for the design, construction, and subsequent donation of Skylark to the University are none other than Leslie Cheek, Jr. and his wife Mary Tyler Cheek, two renowned members of Virginian society. The farm was given to the university in 1977 in memory of Mrs. Cheek’s father, Douglas Southall Freeman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of George Washington and Robert E. Lee.
Leslie Cheek, Jr., an accomplished student of architecture and stage design at Harvard and Yale Universities, worked in conjunction with Charlottesville architect Thomas Craven when designing Skylark. Construction of Skylark, which was formerly Fauber Farm, began in 1969. By 1974, construction of Skylark’s centerpiece, the “Big House”, was ready to begin. Sadly, Mr. Cheek’s ailing health prevented this event from coming to pass. In 1977 the Cheeks donated the property to the University with the intent that it be used for discussion and assembly (Picture of Cheeks and Douglas Freeman).
Today, Skylark is as much a part of Washington and Lee as the Colonnade or Lee Chapel. One need only visit this unique and beautiful farm in order to understand what an asset it is to the University.
The Conference Center and Picnic and Recreational Area can be reserved by contacting:
Emily H. Floyd
Office for University Advancement
540-458-8233 or email efloyd@wlu.edu
Bookings are accepted on a "first come first served" basis. Weather permitting (the Blue Ridge parkway is closed because of inclement weather in the winter). Skylark is open for use from April-November.
Take US 11 north or I-81 north to Steeles Tavern. Turn right onto Rt 56 to Vesuvius. Stay on Rt 56 up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then turn right on the parkway and drive approx. 2 miles just past milepost 25. Skylark is on your right.
