Memorial Gymnasium
Also known as: Vdhr#104-0095
Why it's listed
Memorial Gymnasium, known as "Mem Gym," sits at the foot of a steep hill west of the original academical village at the University of Virginia. Built between 1921 and 1924 for about $300,000, it honors the university students and alumni who died in World War I. Fiske Kimball supervised a team of architects that included Walter Dabney Blair, John Kevan Peebles and R.E. Lee Taylor. The red-brick building draws on Roman baths, with giant engaged Corinthian columns, large thermal windows and a six-column Ionic portico. It contains a basketball court, an indoor track and a swimming pool. On June 10, 1940, a rainstorm moved the university's graduation ceremony here from the outdoor amphitheater, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his "dagger in the back" speech, pledging material support to democracies fighting Germany and Italy. That event, together with the building's classical design, underpins its listing. It remains in use for intramural sports.
Significance in brief: It is nationally significant under Criterion A for Politics/Government because President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his June 10, 1940 'dagger in the back' commencement address there, signaling a move away from isolationism. It is also significant under Criterion C as an elegant example of Beaux Arts Classicism designed by a group of architects under Fiske Kimball.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 04001291, listed December 4, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 210 S. Emmett St., Charlottesville (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Charlottesville |
| Listed | December 4, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04001291 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1924-1954 |
| Architect / builder | Kimball, Fiske, et. al. |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts Classicism |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, retaining historic integrity, and still used for intramural sports and recreation by the University community. |
| Acreage | 5.1 |
| Coordinates | 38.03744, -78.50712 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 04001291.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712831
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.