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.
