Welcome
Washington and Lee has a long history of hosting musicians to entertain students. From informal concerts in the on-campus tavern the Cockpit to the formal dance sets of the annual Fancy Dress, Washington and Lee students have always turned towards music as a way to unwind after a long week of class. While the presence of musical groups remains a constant even to this day, the genres of music and the sorts of guests invited to campus reflect the changing attitudes of Washington and Lee students, a microcosm of trends in the nation.
This exhibit tells the musical story of the Washington and Lee social scene, showing how the student body influenced and was influenced by musical guests. The changing genres and types of musical groups represents the social evolution of the student body as they shifted demographically and loosened their grip on old Southern tradition.