The University of Mary Washington’s Seacobeck Hall will close in summer 2015 after 84 years as a student dining facility on the Fredericksburg campus. Student dining services will relocate to the new University Center, opening in fall 2015.
To honor the hall’s longevity as a campus dining hub, UMW Dining Services has launched a series of dinners to commemorate each decade. The series kicked off in September, featuring music and cuisine from the 1930’s, including the white linen tablecloths that were a staple of the dining hall’s earlier days. UMW Dining will continue the celebration by featuring the 1970’s on Wednesday, Jan. 28; the 1980’s on Wednesday, Feb. 18; the 1990s on Thursday, March 19; and a grand finale for the millennium on Wednesday, April 15. Each buffet dinner begins at 5 p.m. and is open to the public for $11.15 plus tax.
“The new University Center will have state-of-the-art equipment,” said Roy Platt, general manager for UMW Dining Services. “Students will be able to experience many new dining options, with all of our food being made-to-order at our service platforms.”
The faculty and staff dining hall and Copy Center in Seacobeck Hall will continue to operate through the next academic year.
The university continues to review opportunities for repurposing Seacobeck Hall. Suggestions have included classrooms, studios, a small auditorium, display space for the arts and museums, and storage space. A decision will most likely be made during the 2015–2016 academic year.
To make a reservation for one of Seacobeck’s upcoming celebration dinners, contact UMW Dining at (540) 654-2169.
I remember the gracious dining at Seacobeck, home cooking and beautiful tables with crisp white table linens. We were required to wear a dress to Sunday dinner back then, and the fare was delicious and included the most incredible pies and cobblers. This was before the food service was contracted out and the personnel were members of the Fredericksburg community who truly loved their jobs and taking care of us. I recently rekindled my experiences when I purchased a serving bowl from my era that had come from Seacobeck, a beautiful Syracuse bowl in a dogwood pattern. Sweet memories of a wonderful part of my life.’ God bless MWC, or UMW, that is.