Trench Hill

Built as a private home more than 75 years ago, Trench Hill was acquired by the University in 1948. The building, located at the corner of Sunken Road and Hanover Street, was named to commemorate the Civil War trenches found on the property. During the next few decades Trench Hill served as a residence hall for various groups of students, a child development center, and finally as offices for the Alumni Association and Advancement staff.

From Little Acorns

By 1999, the idea of renovating and adding to Trench Hill took root. Plans included an inn for overnight guests, new administrative offices, a meeting room for governing boards, and a ballroom and courtyard to accommodate University and community events. Architects from the Clark Nexsen firm in Norfolk, Virginia, were contracted to integrate the old with the new.

To ensure a world class result, private dollars were sought. Mary Washington alumni and the regional community responded generously by giving a record $8 million. Prior to the groundbreaking in June 2004, then-president William Anderson announced the Board of Visitors had voted unanimously to name the new facility "Jepson Alumni Executive Center" to honor the significant contributions of Alice Andrews Jepson, ' 64, and her husband, Robert S. Jepson, Jr., of Savannah, Georgia. The original house, which serves as the cornerstone of the new facility, was renamed "Kalnen Inn on Trench Hill" in honor of Elizabeth Kalnen, '37, and her sister, the late Margaret Rose Kalnen, '33.

Visitors to the center may note the acorn image that appears on signage, in woven carpets and on appliqued toss pillows. This image was selected to represent the seed planted long ago to create a home for alumni and a place where community events could be held. The acorn was also selected to represent the University's commitment to honoring the past while making way for new growth and, bringing to mind the old adage, "From little acorns grow great oaks", serves to commemorate the famous Civil War-era Brompton Oak tree that still graces the nearby home of the University of Mary Washington president.