University of Virginia Library

Rotunda Restoration Proves Feasible,
Will Implement Jeffersonian Ideas

By LYNN STERN

The restoration of the
Rotunda's interior will serve
the same purpose as total
reconstruction but can be
instituted at a third of the cost,
announced architecture
professor Frederick D. Nichols
Friday night.

Speaking to the Jefferson
Society on the University's
plans to restore and refurbish
the Rotunda, he stated that
restoration, which will be
instituted in two parts due to a
lack of funds, will cost 2.2
million dollars.

Total reconstruction of the
Rotunda would cost six million
dollars.

In addition to monetary
considerations, the University
desires to re-create the
Rotunda as designed by Mr.
Jefferson for historical
purposes, he said.

Severe Fire Damage

The outstanding
transformation of Mr.
Jefferson's, model of the
Rotunda occurred in 1896-1898
as a result of the Great Fire in
1895 which swept the Lawn,
severely damaging the Rotunda.
New York architect Stanford
White was commissioned at
that time to restore the
building, but ignored a
unanimous faculty vote to
recreate the old model.
Instead, Mr. White instituted
his own Neo-classic design,
perverting Mr. Jefferson's
Renaissance style.

After the White reformation,
only one third of the edifice's
space was functional and his
architectural renovations
destroyed the balance of Mr.
Jefferson's creation.

The University plans to
restore the Rotunda to its
original state, fulfilling Mr.
Jefferson's ideal that it be both
"functional and aesthetic."

One major change in the
building's face will be the
restoration of the curbings in
the steps to the original
Renaissance style.

The original skylight will be
re-installed and the present
clock will be replaced by one
which fits the exact
specifications of Mr.
Jefferson.

Original Functions Returned

In addition, the graceful,
double columns of the past,
obliterated by Mr. White in
favor of massive, singular ones,
will be restored.

The ground floors will be
redone in their original sizes
and proportions and the three
Oval Rooms removed by Mr.
White will be returned.

With the re-institution of the
Oval Rooms, the Dome Room
will again possess its intended
proportions and will serve
several functions.

It will be used as a museum
of University history and a
portrait gallery, containing
paintings of Rectors and
Presidents of the University
which have previously been
kept in storage.

The Dome Room will
contain a working fireplace and
will be utilized for social
functions, as intended by Mr.
Jefferson.

It was here that the
University founder entertained
the Marquis de Lafayette in
1824.

Bucket Brigade Employed

Mr. Jefferson's creation was
architecturally untouched until
the Great Fire.

Mr. Nichols described events
surrounding the Great Fire.
The Richmond Fire Brigade
was summoned as soon as the
fire was discovered. It traveled
at top speed–20 m.p.h.–but
was never able to assist in
extinguishing the fire.

By the time is arrived in
Gordonsville, word was sent
that the fire was under control.
By then students had formed
chains to relay buckets of
water to douse the buildings.

The Rotunda originally
housed classes in drawing and
science, religious services, and
the library.