Constructed: 1934-1935
Opened: 1935 as Marshall-Wythe Hall
Renamed James Blair Hall: 1968
Map it for me
Note: Location on map is approximate.
James Blair Hall, formerly named Marshall-Wythe Hall, is located at 250 James Blair Drive on the west end of the Sunken Garden. It is across from McGlothlin-Street Hall, next to Chancellors Hall (formerly Tyler Hall), the Tyler Family Garden, and a statue of Rev. James Blair.
James Blair Hall was constructed by T.A. Loving for $175,250 with a Public Works Administration grant with American Walnut woodwork. Built between 1934-1935, it was intended to house the Marshall-Wythe School of Government and Citizenship. The first floor was designed to hold administrative offices (for the president, deans, bursar, business manager, registrar and treasurer), a large business office, conference room, two file rooms, record room, and two reception rooms. The second floor had 8 classrooms and 7 offices for faculty members, with similar plans for the third floor. The Administrative Offices moved into the building on July 1, 1935.
In 1936, the second and third floors were occupied by the departments of Economics, Government, History, Sociology, and the School of Jurisprudence. A dedication ceremony for the building was held in April 1937. In 1943, the Navy Chaplain's School on campus during World War II was located on the second floor. In 1959, a new phone system was installed for the campus and the equipment for the system was kept in the basement of the building. In 1962, the President's and Admissions offices moved to Ewell Hall.
In 1968, the building was renamed James Blair Hall, after the Law School moved into the old library building (now known as Tucker Hall).
It currently houses the Departments of Philosophy and History, the National Institute of American History & Democracy, University Counsel, and other administrative offices.
As the home of the Law School, it was from James Blair Hall that William & Mary graduated its first African American student - Edward August Travis in 1954. Miriam Carter was the first African American woman to attend William & Mary when she was admitted to the Law School. The first African American woman to receive a degree was 1978 law graduate Sharon Coles-Stewart.
James Blair Hall was named for the Rev. James Blair, the first president at William & Mary, serving from its founding in 1693 until 1743.