College: an institution of higher education and also, the party before the hang over that is adulthood. No one ever wants to leave college, these four years are considered the best four years of our lives and afterwards, the real world occurs—nothing is ever certain and uncertainty starts to unfold.
Longwood University was founded in 1839 and is one of three oldest and historic institutions in Virginia. It is also the first college to be recognized as a women’s college later becoming co-educational in 1976.
Cunningham Hall was one of Longwood’s oldest historic buildings, and was once a residence hall that occupied freshman, sophomores and juniors. There were three sections to the Cunninghams, North, Main and South Cunningham; North opened in 1928, Main opened in 1939 and South opened in 1958.
Back in 2013, Longwood held an event called “Farewell to the Cunninghams” where students, faculty, staff and alumni were able to tour the infamous building—in it’s place will be Upchurch University Center, a new university center for the modern student to be able to have more activity around campus.
In August 2014, after the G.A.M.E, the plans were set in stone to build a new student center. Later that year, the demolition occurred to tear it down—although many opposed the demolition, it still occurred, and the once iconic building that caught everyone’s eye, was now gone.
Bailey Jenkins, a sophomore, lived on the second floor of North Cunninghams. “My favorite part of living in the Cunningham’s was how homey and very inviting it was—it was cool too, because the door would always be open and my dad lived in the Cunningham’s during the late 80’s, so it was awesome to get his perspective about living there and everything. We have this bond now, which is great.”
When the Cunningham’s were torn down, many people were upset, because of the memories the building contained and the University was faced with an ultimate “eye-sore.” Jenkins said “I was really sad that they tore it down, I was a freshman when I lived there, so it was definitely bittersweet, and now it’s so barren over on that side of campus.”
With the Cunninghams gone, a new building will occur, which will help develop new memories and more opportunities for students.
Longwood University needs your help to submit photos for the new building. Now through Feb. 23, the University is asking for students to submit photos of Longwood traditions—whether it’s Color Wars, Convocation, Chi or Princeps, Commencement, Dr. Jordan’s Ghost Stories, Oktoberfest, Spring Weekend, Oozeball, New Lancer Days, The G.A.M.E. The Ruffner Tree Lighting or Late-night Breakfast.
What better way to be remembered at Longwood University, than leaving behind a Kodak moment with your best friends.
The fence around the demolished and cleared hill where The Cunninghams used to perch is being turned into a Kodak moment with student pictures.
