In the early ’70s I was a student at The University of Virginia for a year of graduate school. The grounds of the university are so beautiful, and photography there is always rewarding, if not redundant. Everyone has taken the obligatory photos of the Rotunda, the Lawn, the Pavilions, and with good reason. They make good images! In early February, I took a young friend to the grounds who had never been in Charlottesville or at the University. She flew in from Front Royal, Virginia, less than an hour by air. She flew in, literally, as the pilot of a little Cessna. She has taken me flying a couple of times, so now it was my turn to take her on an adventure. Being on grounds with her, showing her the beauty and participating in photography with her was so much fun. We walked to the Rotunda; engaged in conversation with a couple of students living on the Lawn; saw the room that Edgar Allen Poe lived in while a student; ate at The Virginian, the oldest restaurant in Charlottesville; spent time at the UVA Cemetery and on BETA BRIDGE; and saw fraternity brothers delivering bids to their pledges. It was a fun day. Here are a few of my images from the day.
A bridge over the railroad tracks on Rugby Road is repeatedly painted by students to honor any current event. It has layers and layers of paint.
Seeing students in khakis and blue blazers took me back to the 70s when everyone dressed this way.
The historic UVA Cemetery is so beautiful with the ancient headstones.
The UVA Chapel where I was married in 1982.
One section of the UVA Cemetery is dedicated to Confederate soldiers.
THE student store on the Corner at UVA. All things orange and blue.
Patricia Temples Photography 