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THE RESTORATION OF THE UNIVERSITY.
The work of repairing the damage done to the Rotunda of the University by
the great fire in the autumn of 1895, and of erecting new buildings to accommodate
the Academic Department, as well as the Departments of Law and Engineering,
has been successfully completed. Thus, through the generosity of the
Legislature, as well as that of its Alumni and friends all over the country, the
University is in far better condition to accommodate all its different departments
than ever before; and the new buildings have been already for some months
actually occupied by the schools for which they were designed.
The Rotunda has been restored, as nearly as possible in accordance with the
original plans of Mr. Jefferson, as far as its outward form is concerned. The
interior—with the exception of the two classrooms in the basement which are to
be used as a Law Library room, and a Law Lecture room, respectively—has
been devoted exclusively to the use of the Library, forming thus a noble
room, with its circle of Corinthian columns, mosaic floor, double galleries,
cornice ballustrade, and sky-lighted dome. The whole has been rendered as
nearly fire-proof as possible; so that it is believed that the central feature of the
University will never again be in peril. At the base of the Rotunda are four
terraced wings (as originally designed by Mr. Jefferson, but never fully executed),
two of which supply offices for the University administration—while the other
two are occupied by the Department of Law and the Young Men's Christian
Association.
The Annex has not been rebuilt. Where it stood lies a broad and handsome
terrace, at the foot of the staircase which leads down from the north portico of
the Rotunda; and in its stead, three new buildings have been erected at the foot
of the Lawn. The chief and central one of these buildings, which directly faces
the Rotunda, contains in its middle portion on the first floor an amphitheatrical
Public Hall capable of seating some 1,500 people; on the second floor the lecture
rooms and offices of the Biological Laboratory—while in its wings, with their
numerous and capacious lecture rooms, are domiciled most of the other Academic
Schools. Above the portico of this building, which is supported by Ionic columns,
is written in Greek as a motto of the University: "You shall know the truth, and
the truth shall make you free," and this inscription is interpreted by allegorical
figures in the tympanum above it. The central figure is Truth, with a globe in
one hand and a mirror in the other, symbolizing universality and accuracy; to the
left is Liberty, with her torch, and to the right, Victory, with her laurel wreath.
On the eastern side of the central building stands the Rouss Physical Laboratory.
This building contains a large amphitheatrical lecture room, an apparatus
room, and a general laboratory, together with a number of smaller private laboratories
for advanced students, rooms for optical work, a tower for experimental
purposes and a shop in the basement; forming on the whole one of the best arranged
and equipped laboratories of its kind in the country.
On the western side of the central building is located the Mechanical Laboratory,
which is also adequately equipped. The first floor contains a large lecture
etc.; while in the basement are rooms filled with the most approved
machinery for wood and iron work, etc. The boilers, forges and foundries are in
an annex behind the central building, from which steam for power and heating
is conducted to the Mechanical and Physical Laboratories. Both the central
building, and the Rotunda, are also heated by steam from this source.
The three buildings at the foot of the Lawn are architecturally in harmony, both
in form and in detail, with the other edifices on the Lawn; and they complete, at
its southern end, a quadrangle which is worthy of the majestic and time-honored
Rotunda. All who knew the University as it was, will agree that its beauty and
usefulness have been greatly enhanced by the changes which have been made.
Great as was the calamity which befell the University, the Visitors and Faculty
cannot but feel that the outcome has been a still greater benefit. With the ample
accommodations which, owing to the growth of the University in every department,
were greatly needed even before the demand for them was so suddenly
rendered imperative, with renewed vigor and enthusiasm, with steadfast adherence
to the great principles upon which it has always firmly stood, the University
goes forward in the spirit of true progress to wider opportunity and greater usefulness.
It looks confidently to its loyal Alumni and its warm-hearted friends
everywhere in the belief that not only their good wishes but their earnest efforts
as well will be given to the advancement of its interests and the maintenance of
its prestige and honor.
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