“...that one may walk in beauty, discover the serenity of the quiet moment, and dispel the shadows.” -- Davis Paschall, President, College of William & Mary
This quote graces a plaque unveiled at the College of William & Mary’s cherished Crim Dell, marking the dedication of its new oriental-style bridge spanning the scenic pond. One of the most serenely beautiful oases in present-day Williamsburg was once just a gully where early twentieth-century passersby tossed trash, until a small lake was created at its foot by damming a stream below the future bridge. The first version of this structure was painfully plain, a rustic, utilitarian structure jutting directly from one bank to the other, lacking a graceful arch, unadorned by even the most basic coat of paint.
During the tenure of President Davis Paschall (1960-71), it was proposed that the Lily Pond (as it was then known) be filled in and a needed new library built there, but Paschall had other plans. The idea of landscaping around the pond and building a new, more impressive bridge was entirely his initiative, according to Louise Kale, director of the historic W&M campus at the time. Funding for this project came from three different sources. “It was paid for with money from the 1964 senior class gift; a man named David Baer, who was a loyal friend of the college; and the family of John W. H. Crim,” she said. The pond (or dell) was named for Crim (a “distinguished alumnus” of the Class of 1901) and his wife and daughter, but the entire site, including the bridge, has since become known collectively as Crim Dell. Its location is in the older section of the college campus, which was founded in 1693 by letters patent issued by King William III and Queen Mary II. It is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, after Harvard University.
The proposed Earl Greg Swem Library was eventually built on New Campus, which is less centrally located. The Special Collections department now preserves black and white photos of students in the 1950s clearing out brush and re-landscaping the pond area in preparation for the new project.
Thanks to the vision of President Paschall and the support of many others, tour guides have led visiting prospective W&M students and their families to the iconic serene location for more than half a century. Part of the guide’s introduction to this campus highlight no doubt mentions the legends attached to the overarching structure.
A sculpted heron reflected on the surface of the still water has been witness to countless embraces. Legend has it that a couple crossing the arched bridge while holding hands will be friends forever — but if they kiss at its apex, they will be lifelong lovers. Surrounding the Dell is a stand of beech trees that carries the carved initials of many couples hoping to fall into the latter category. Should that romance sour, one must push the ex-lover off the bridge to break the bond, or join those who venture the bridge crossing alone to face a lifetime of loneliness.
More of a debunked tall tale than legend is the supposed ranking by Playboy magazine of Crim Dell as the second-most romantic spot on American college campuses. Though ice skating and swimming in the Dell are now banned activities, one tradition followed by especially daring students stipulates that a dip into its murky water, jumping the wall of the Governor’s Mansion after hours, and running across the Sunken Garden (all accomplished sans clothing) is necessary to complete the fabled Ironman Triathlon before graduation.
By the late ‘90s, the aging bridge was considered unsafe, local architect John Hopke remembers. “The technical term is ‘a little woogetty,’ ” he adds with a laugh. In addition to structural soundness concerns, new ADA accessibility laws meant that the entire structure needed to be replaced. Hopke & Associates came up with a design for handrails that actually strengthen the present bridge, yet remain functional and aesthetically pleasing.
In 2017, Crim Dell was scheduled for a needed renovation. The bridge needed paint, and years of stormwater runoff had deposited tons of sediment in the lake. When it was drained, snapping turtles, water snakes, and fish were painstakingly recovered and relocated by student and alumni volunteers. Eight additional bubblers were installed to inhibit the growth of algae, and the tree line was moved back three feet. Dead roots had caused erosion of the Dell’s shoreline, so they were dug out and the banks were reinforced. More than 900 truckloads of sediment were dredged and removed, and a herd of goats was employed to munch back the overgrowth. Ongoing landscape work will keep Crim Dell looking its best. A long-term project is underway to eradicate invasive and non-native species such as bamboo, which once threatened to overwhelm the area.
From a trash-filled gully to the iconic symbol of one of the oldest universities in America, Crim Dell will continue to be an important part of campus life. Every W&M graduating class marches across campus and over this beloved colorful bridge. The journey marks the transition from the sheltering arms of academia to the successful lives for which their alma mater has prepared them. It has become a precious symbol, and also a place where anyone is welcome to “...walk in beauty, discover the serenity of the quiet moment, and dispel the shadows.”