Egyptian Building

Thomas S. Stewart
1845
1200 E. Marshall Street Richmond VA

Among all the buildings in Richmond, the Egyptian Building is certainly one of the most unusual. It was erected in 1845 as the home for Hampden-Sydney College’s Medical school, the first in the south. Now part of the medical campus of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU Health), the building has also become the emblem of the entire university.

The building was designed by Philadelphia architect Thomas S. Stewart in the Egyptian revival style. Egyptian imagery is associated with the medical fields as the first physician in Western history is often cited as Imhotep (also the first recorded architect). In early 19th century Western architecture, Egyptian forms were adapted for funerary and hospital buildings based on the connection between ancient Egyptian medicine and tombs.

The Egyptian building is inscribed with glyphs, symbols, and quotes from hymns praising the gods Aten and Amun. The front gate creates a convincing Egyptian effect, with its obelisk gate, battered walls, papyrus columns, monumental windowless surfaces, and deep shadows. The building’s deceivingly sculptural front facade conceals an otherwise-conventional five story office building. The building has remained in continuous use since its completion.

Designated a National Historic Landmark, the building’s significance is well summarized in a remark by Dr. Wyndham Blanton at a university event held in 1940. He stated:

“It is a shrine, a sanctuary of tradition, the physical embodiment of our genius. It is a spiritual heritage. In a world often accused of cold materialism, with an ideology of human self-sufficiency, and an adoration of objects that can be handled and seen, there is a need for things of the spirit, if science is to do more than make life safer, longer and more comfortable.”

DOK