The Amphitheatre near The Grove (The university president’s home) and the Duck Pond is a revered garden area known by virtually all alumni. The Amphitheatre was an initiative of the Southwest Virginia Garden Club and the Virginia State Federation of Garden Clubs. It was built by ‘relief workers’, likely by the Work Projects Authority (WPA) or Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employed by the Federal Government during the Great Depression. It was dedicated in 1935. It was originally called the ‘Garden Theatre’ built as a place for birds and plants, and as a memorial to the pioneers who settled the Mountain Empire of Southwest Virginia.  It has been used for weddings, plays, movies and quiet reflection for the past 74 years.

By 2003, a Hemlock disease had killed virtually all trees in the amphitheatre. In response to this a renovation plan was prepared in 2004. The initial restoration work consisted shade and flowering trees, flowering shrubs, bulbs and construction of grass paths connecting to the Duck Pond Park as noted in historical records from the 1930’s. Much work remains to be done to restore the garden including stone terrace and wall repair, lighting, water fountain repair, and additional planting.