Washington and Lee University
The Doremus Society was founded in 1993 to honor the many alumni and friends who have made provisions for Washington and Lee in their Wills or through another type of planned gift.
The Society is named for Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Doremus. While visiting Washington and Lee shortly before his death in 1913, Mr. Doremus, a New York stockbroker, was greeted by a student who offered to escort Mr. Doremus around the campus and show him points of interest. Doremus had come to Washington and Lee because he decided that he would bestow his estate upon some Southern institution in honor of his Southern mother. He was in the process of visiting several schools, entirely unannounced, in order to determine which of them would receive the estate. Mr. Doremus was so impressed with the unidentified student's friendliness and courtesy that, upon returning to New York, he provided in his Will that upon the death of Mrs. Doremus his entire estate should be given to Washington and Lee University. After Mr. Doremus' death that same year, his widow gave to the University its gymnasium and indoor swimming pool, estimated to have cost between $80,000 and $100,000. The building, completed in 1915, was named the Doremus Memorial Gymnasium. In 1936, after the death of Mrs. Doremus, the provisions of her late husband's Will were carried out, and the entire estate, amounting to $1.5 million, was given to the University.
If you have planned an estate or life income gift to benefit Washington and Lee University, we would be honored to add you to the rolls of the Doremus Society. Please print and complete our Doremus Society Application Form and mail it to the following address:
The Doremus Society, Washington and Lee University, Development Building, Lexington, Virginia 24450