Locating Slavery's Legacies @ University of Virginia

Peters Portal; A Dormitory Named for William Elisha Peters

1929

William Elisha Peters was born August 28, 1829, in Bedford County, Virginia. He graduated from Emory and Henry College in 1850. Peters then pursued graduate study at the University of Virginia for two years before taking a professorship in Greek and Latin at Emory and Henry College. Peters stayed there until Virginia’s secession in 1861, when he enlisted in the Confederate military. Peters quickly rose through the ranks, by 1863 commanding the 21st Virginia Cavalry at rank of Colonel. He was wounded three times, twice seriously. He refused an order to burn down Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and was immediately arrested but quickly released by Robert E. Lee.

In 1866, he returned to UVA as a professor of Latin. He published widely on classics and Latin Language. Peters died in 1906 from pneumonia.

UVA opened twelve dormitories for first-year students slightly west of Monroe Hill in 1929. The dormitories, or “portals,” were named after nineteenth century professors, including Peters. “Portal” is the term used to identify each building, but they are brick dormitories with classical architectural design features. These dormitories were renovated in 1986, but no changes were made to the buildings' names. .

University of Virginia; Charlottesville, Virginia

Peters' Wikidata link

From the Grounds Up: In the beginning, Monroe created a law office on a hill: Chapter and verse on what was to follow. Virginia Magazine.

Gordon, Laura. 2020. PETERS, William Elisha. Database of Classical Scholars | Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. 24. November

Housing and Residence Life, U.Va.

John Mesick, Jeffrey Cohen, Gina Wilson, Thomas Baker, Baker Architects, and University of Virginia. 2006. HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT. University of Virginia. Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects and The University of Virginia

Notes on the professors for whom the University of Virginia halls and residence houses are named :: :: University of Virginia Library.

Memorial Honor

Named Building

Lost Cause

William Elisha Peters

Three-story Brick dormitory with neo-classical finishes and white trim. It has 48 single-occupancy rooms, 24 double-occupancy rooms, and 12 triple-occupancy rooms, totaling 84 rooms. It also includes some suite-style units with 4-person occupancy, contributing to a total capacity of 208 students.

Above the door to the entrance of the Peters portal, there is a white inscription with Peters’ surname and the years he lived (1829-1906.)

University of Virginia

1986

1820-1865: Slavery, Anti-Slavery, and Civil War

1865-1890: Emancipation, Reconstruction and Resistance to Reconstruction

1890-1945: Era of the Lost Cause, Jim Crow legal segregation and discrimination, and organized anti-Black racism

The original building of Peters Portal was funded by the University of Virginia. The 1986 renovation was at least partially funded by the family of George Garvin Brown.