Description

Our Burruss Hall Ornament by P. Buckley Moss

Content & Subject

Our Burruss Hall Ornament by P. Buckley Moss is a numbered, limited edition porcelain ornament that celebrates one of Virginia’s most beloved collegiate landmarks — Burruss Hall, the architectural centerpiece of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Part of the Moss Ornament Collection and Moss College Collection, this piece captures the university’s spirit of pride, tradition, and academic excellence through Moss’s timeless artistic vision.

Our Burruss Hall Ornament depicts Burruss Hall’s grand façade, its Gothic-inspired stone architecture rendered in warm golden tones against a soft blue sky. Two flags frame the scene — the United States flag and the Virginia state flag — symbolizing unity, heritage, and the enduring pursuit of knowledge.

Cherry trees bloom in the foreground, their soft pink hues adding a touch of vitality and renewal, while the stone steps and brick pathways lead the viewer’s eye upward to the hall’s arched entrance — an open doorway that symbolizes opportunity and progress. Moss’s composition balances precision and warmth, making this ornament both an academic tribute and a work of art with emotional depth.

Style & Technique

In Our Burruss Hall Ornament, Moss employs her signature watercolor and ink style, combining soft color washes with confident linework to bring architectural detail to life without losing her hallmark fluidity. The interplay of light and texture conveys the majesty of Burruss Hall while maintaining the intimacy and grace typical of her work.

Our Burruss Hall Ornament porcelain surface enhances the vibrancy of Moss’s colors, allowing the warm golds, pinks, and sky blues to reflect beautifully in changing light. The fine gold rim that encircles the piece adds sophistication, framing the scene like a miniature portrait of pride and tradition.

Each ornament is hand-numbered, gift boxed, and includes a cord for hanging, or can be displayed on a tiny easel (sold separately). Its fine craftsmanship ensures that it will remain a lasting heirloom — treasured by alumni, students, and collectors alike.

Mood & Inspiration

The mood of Our Burruss Hall Ornament is majestic, reverent, and inspiring. Moss’s design reflects not only the architectural beauty of Burruss Hall but also the ideals it represents: knowledge, perseverance, and unity.

For Moss, architecture often served as a metaphor for community and purpose. In capturing this landmark, she highlights the university’s role as both a place of learning and a symbol of shared identity for generations of Hokies.

The presence of the flags and blooming trees underscores a sense of renewal and national pride, reminding us that education, much like art, connects us to something greater than ourselves.

Placement & Gift Ideas

Our Burruss Hall Ornament makes a perfect keepsake for Virginia Tech alumni, students, and supporters, as well as collectors of P. Buckley Moss’s collegiate works. It’s a beautiful way to commemorate graduation, academic milestones, or a lifelong connection to the university.

Our Burruss Hall Ornament can be hung proudly on a holiday tree, displayed in a shadow box, or shown year-round on a mini easel. Its elegant presentation makes it a thoughtful and meaningful gift for any occasion.

Each piece comes gift boxed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity, affirming its value as a genuine P. Buckley Moss collectible.

Includes a Certificate of Authenticity. (see FAQs)

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🎓 Fun Fact:
Burruss Hall, completed in 1936, is named after Julian Ashby Burruss, the first alumnus to serve as president of Virginia Tech. Its 3,003-seat auditorium and iconic limestone façade have made it one of the university’s most recognizable symbols — a true cornerstone of campus life and history.

🎨 Collector’s Insight:
Collectors love Our Burruss Hall Ornament for its architectural precision, warm palette, and emotional resonance. 🏛️ It represents not just a building, but a legacy — making it a centerpiece of the Moss College Collection and a favorite among alumni who treasure Moss’s connection to Virginia’s educational heritage.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, Virginia

Burruss Hall is the main administration building, it also contains a 3,003-seat auditorium and houses several departments in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. It consists of the original building, completed in June 1936 (cost $428,404; 77,080 sq ft; a west wing and rear addition, built in 1968 (cost $1,536,899; 60,503 sq ft; and an east wing, built in 1970 (cost $593,729; 20,638 sq ft. The cornerstone of the original building was laid at the 1935 commencement; the first commencement was held in the auditorium in June 1936. An electronic carillon, costing $28,000, was added in 1958 and was dedicated at Homecoming that year. It was originally known as the Teaching and Administration Building.

Julian Ashby Burruss (1876–1947) was President from 1919 to 1945. The first alumnus president, Burruss guided VPI through tremendous increases in faculty, student body, and degree offerings; vast growth in the physical plant; and efficient changes in administrative structure. He successfully pushed to admit women and shortened the military requirement to two years, setting the stage for a larger civilian student body. During his tenure, Radford College became the Women’s Division of VPI.

2014

Size: 3-5/16 inches diameter.

Any number of ornaments ship for the flat rate of $12.60

🎁 Available through Canada Goose Gallery in Waynesville, Ohio — your trusted source for the art of P. Buckley Moss.