Fork Union Military Academy announced today the permanent return of the home of the Academy President back to the core part of the Academy's campus. The return of the President's quarters to campus was an objective identified several years ago in connection with the Academy's strategic planning process.
Colonel David Coggins, USMC (Ret.), currently the school's 11th president, recently moved into the residence located just off Fraley Circle at the center of the school campus that served as the President's House from the time it was built in 1942 by the school's then 5th president, Dr. John J. Wicker, until 1996. Moving back to the President's House returns the school president to the heart of the campus where he can interact with cadets regularly.
In connection with the decision to permanently return the President's home to campus, the Academy has decided to list for sale Careby Hall, the historic residence that has been home to the past three school presidents. The Victorian home was built in 1895 by Dr. William E. Hatcher, the founder of Fork Union Military Academy. Dr. Hatcher was well-known as a Baptist minister serving pastorates in Manchester, Baltimore, and Petersburg, before becoming the pastor at Grace Street Baptist Church in Richmond, a church he served for 26 years until his retirement. Careby Hall would be Dr. Hatcher's home for the rest of his days until his death in 1912.
Careby Hall has not been in the Academy's possession continuously. It was purchased and renovated in 1996 by Mr. Tommy Bronson, the parent of a cadet then attending Fork Union Military Academy and a member of the school's Board of Trustees. Mr. Bronson very generously donated the home to the Academy. Careby Hall is located on six wooded acres in the heart of the village of Fork Union, Virginia, and has four bedrooms and four bathrooms with just over 4,000 square feet of finished living space. Careby Hall is listed for sale at $365,000.
"I think it's going to make somebody a really nice home," said the listing agent, Corven Flynn of Akarion Realty. "It's a lot of house, and I know the right person is going to come along and seize this opportunity."
"We are grateful to the Bronson family for the benefit we've derived in the years since their generous gift made in 1996," stated Colonel Coggins. "Careby Hall will always be part of the Academy's history."
