Professor Nichols, Mrs. Smith said, had discussed his ideas for the interior restoration
work with Mr. Fiske Kimball, leading living authority on Jefferson's architecture and the neoclassical
revival in America. After some hesitation over any tampering with the work of so
important an architect as Stanford White, Mr. Kimball had expressed great enthusiasm for
Mr. Nichols' proposal. Mr. Kimball had remarked that Jefferson was a greater architect than
Stanford White, that the Rotunda was his last great architectural monument, and that Mr. Nichols'
functional idea of making the Rotunda the administrative center of the University was strictly
in accord with Jefferson's conception of academic architecture.
Mrs. Smith noted that the Art Commission's suggestion that the Rotunda be suitably furnished
might be costly, and said that her Committee did not recommend any decision or action by the
Board at this time.
The Board resolved that Mrs. Smith's Report be accepted and approved and that the signed
Resolution from the Art Commission be filed with the Secretary.
