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THE NEW UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS.
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, was brought to a successful
close during the Spring of 1898. Through the generosity of the Legislature,
as well as that of its Alumni and friends all over the country,
the University is thus in far better condition to accommodate all its
different departments than ever before; and the new buildings, which
have now been occupied for more than a year by the different schools
for which they were designed, were last June dedicated with appropriate
ceremonies, and formally turned over to the Governor of the
State by the Rector of the Board of Visitors of the University.
The Rotunda was 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 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 balustrade, and skylighted
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 was not rebuilt. Where it stood lies a broad and hand
some 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 fifteen hundred people; on the second floor the
lecture-room 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 anphitheatrical 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-room, an electrical engineering laboratory, a
drawing-room, rooms for blue-printing, 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.
A large new dormitory, with the most improved modern equipment for
heat, light, sanitation, etc., is also under construction, and will be
ready for occupation by the opening of next session.
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 at the time of the fire befell the
University, the Visitors and Faculty can 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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