University of Virginia Library

Shannon Signs Restoration Contract
To Recreate Original Rotunda

By PAT GRANEY

Prostrate Protesters At Military Ball

Demonstrations Were Staged At The Rotunda Saturday Night

President Edgar F. Shannon Jr., Floyd
H. Hyde, HUD assistant secretary for
community development, and Board of
Visitors Sec. Raymond C. Bice signed the
contract completing the Rotunda
restoration plans Friday morning in
ceremonies at Monticello.

Tricia Nixon Cox, daughter of
President Nixon, also appeared at the
ceremonies.

After the documents were signed, Mr.
Shannon commented on the project.

"This is one of the most important
moments of my life," Mr. Shannon said,
"to be here on this pretty day with all of
you to help bring about the restoration of
one of Mr. Jefferson's finest architectural
achievements."

Mr. Shannon outlined the project's
goals to restore the Rotunda to its
original specifications and make it the
"keystone" of the University.

The Rotunda was destroyed by fire in
1895 and renovated by New York
architect Stanford White who made major
changes in the interior design.

Mr. Hyde also addressed the guests.

"The presence of all of us here is a
small token of the respect and admiration
we have for this great University and
founder," said Mr. Hyde. "It is also an
example of how government and people
can work together to preserve the great
heritage that pervades our history," he
continued.

"The highest and best possible use
must not be measured in terms of money
but must be measured in human terms,"
said Mr. Hyde. "The restoration of the
Rotunda is a symbol of creativity, a
rallying point for the future and a turning
point in the view we take of rebuilding
this nation," he continued.

Mrs. Tricia Nixon Cox talked
informally with the guests.

After Mrs. Cox's appearance, about
ten anti-war Protesters with painted faces
and hands staged a Vietnam "shock"
scene. The Protesters from the Guerrilla
Theatre coalition carried signs reading
"Life is priceless" and "Stop the mad
bomber, Nixon's a murderer."

"No one is paying any attention," said
a spokesman for the anti-war group, "the
bombing must be stopped, civilians are
being hurt. This is being done for Tricia
so she will recognize that everything is
not a righteous cause."

Mr. Shannon invited all guests to a
luncheon in the Rotunda where a model
of the proposed restoration is on display.
Mrs. Cox did not attend.

Again, the anti-war demonstrators
assembled on the Lawn and on the
Rotunda steps and staged a "shock"
scene.

The restoration will be financed by a
l million grant from HUD and a $1
million grant for the Cary D. Langhorne
Trust of Washington.

The plans call for completion of the
project by 1976, the nation's bicentennial
year.

The restoration will recreate the three
oval rooms and hallway which were
eliminated in the reconstruction. These
rooms will be used as offices for the
President of the University and the Board
of Visitors.

Additional space will be provided for
lectures, seminars, faculty gatherings and
other meetings.

Tricia Nixon Cox