Snead Hall

This is just the difference between knowing what it's like and what it used to be like. I remember when the new Cadets on my Platoon were treating the redone barracks like garbage. They even made them stop waxing the floors. I spent 20 minutes one day explaining the gas heaters, the partitionless toliets, the small showers. I gave them the appreciation for what they had, and they started treating the place with more respect.
Anyway, the re-done barracks had AC, Heat units, wired cable, new floors, new bath rooms, no more exposed cynder block walls, and so on. It was awesome. I hope the new kids treat it with respect.

Dan, not an attack on them. I just have my suspicion based upon the idiots that were there in my time.

http://www.forkunion.com/news/archives/2009/01/fork_union_mili_3.html

Want to lay odds that both the Jacobson boys are on Battalion Staff when they graduate.

Why in the heck would they take these down? Snead Hall was gutted and re-done in 1992. I mean completely gutted.

Snead seemed two days from collapse in the mid 1980s. I'm surprised it hasn't collapsed on its on. Memorial Hall wasn't so bad. The main killer was one electrical outlet per room. I was in Charlie Company. I knew a few guys in Alpha, Bravo, and Band but usually only because of sports or class. Your company was your home. I hope the new barracks keeps that "individuality" of each company intact. I got to know a lot of Echo Company (esp. 3rd Platoon) guys as cleaned the same bathrooms and showers together.

Ideally, I hope they build the barracks with "wings" to house each individual company. It won't be the same with Snead and Memorial Halls on campus.

I agree with sam that putting all the companies into one barracks would diminish the idea of company competition. Each company had their own domain. It just wouldnt be the same.

The current plan, subject to change, is to call it Alumni Hall. There is an opportunity to name the building available to a donor who gives 51% of the building cost.

Good choice Lawman. I would also suggest, "Crockett Hall". One of the all time GREATS at FUMA.

Has Fork Union chosen a name for the new barracks? My suggestion is the school name the new barracks Whitescarver Hall.

I am always gratified that the academy has an eye to the future. I remember 1st Platoon "E" company's floor would shiver and shake when you walked on it. Some would comment that all the coats of wax over the years was the glue that held that floor together.

On the downside, seeing and reading this makes me feel older than the 48, soon to be 49, years that I am pushing.

Richard McCoy
class of '79

Okay, I'm back for a few minutes between recording the radio shows and editing the radio shows....

1. Yes, Snead Hall has deteriorated so badly that it simply has outlived its useful lifespan. There are many important issues that cannot be adequately and appropriately addressed as it stands now.

Simply put, the barracks facilities (Snead and Memorial) do not meet our standards, and cannot be made to meet our standards through renovation.

The Board of Trustees has examined this subject carefully and thoroughly and determined that the best course of action, and the best stewardship of our resources, is to construct a new facility. The vote on this was unanimous.

2. The architect's renderings will be made available soon, but rest assured that, just as Snead Hall is one building housing three separate companies, the new barracks will have separate spaces for each company. The configuration is a central hall and then four separate wings flowing out from that, each housing a separate company. So the concept of each company having its own distinct space is being maintained in the new design.

3. I understand that the buildings of our campus feel like iconic landmarks that should last forever. I'm inclined to wish that could be so. But, in truth, these buildings each represent a new bold step, taken in faith that the school would have a bright future.

Hatcher Hall was built shortly after the death of founder Dr. Hatcher. According to records, many believed the school would be unable to continue and would simply cease to exist in his absence.

Hatcher Hall was built around 1916 with an eye to creating a building that could serve as the "picture postcard" and marketing image for the school to draw new students. The school's supporters could barely scrape the money together, and the building was built in stages over a few years, with the interior remaining largely unfinished for quite a while. These men and women invested their money in the faith and hope that the school would succeed and outlive its founder and driving force, Dr. Hatcher.

Hatcher Hall joined the school's two original buildings built at the turn of the century -- Snead Hall (a three-story wooden structure near the current location of the old Memorial Gym) and the Armory (a gym-like training facility near the current location of today's Snead Hall barracks).

In 1923, those two original wooden buildings burned to the ground, from a suspected arson. The school year was cut short and it appeared that the school would be unable to open the following year.

Once again, the school's supporters responded swiftly and decisively. What we know now as Snead Hall and the Memorial (or Middle School) Gym were completed in time for the opening of the next school year and Fork Union Military Academy continued to exist.

I thank God that those early supporters stood firm and steadfast, resolved that Fork Union Military Academy would not wither away on their watch. When I think of the hundreds of young men whose lives have been changed for the better by their time here (and those are just the ones I've witnessed in recent years), I thank God for those brave souls who sank their time, money, and love into building a future for this school on top of the dust and ashes of its past.

These iconic structures are not guardians of the status quo. Rather, they stand as a challenge to each succeeding generation to do what is necessary, in good times and bad, to sustain this school for future generations.

It is our time now. We are the sustainers and stewards of this school. We must, as those before us, look not to the past and yearn for what was, but turn to the future and build what will be.

I am eagerly awaiting your comments and reactions. It is important that we have this discussion. Thank you.

I figure you can't stop progress but the campus will never be the same.

Hate to say it, but my post should have said..."where the Maples once stood".

They took her down years ago. She was in really bad structural shape. A beautiful building though.

In a nut shell, the Academy needs new barracks. So if new barracks are to be built, where and what do they do with the old. There is not enough time to tear down the old and build the new on top.

With that in mind. They are wanting to build a new all inclusive barracks, for the entire upper school, where Retan hall aka. "the Maples" use to stand. Between the academy road the the outdoor track. Removing Snead and possibly Memorial hall will expand/ open central campus. Possibly leaving room for future class room growth.

I may have left out some details, but the desire is to get the barracks off the circle and open the central campus.