University of Virginia Library

Emphasis Shifts to Maintenance

Aside from the tasks such as those related to the lingering details of finishing the Rotunda
and the waterworks and satisfying professors, the proctor saw more and more of his time
and efforts spent on maintenance and repairs at the site. Two examples will suffice. First, a
defect in the skylight of the Rotunda was discovered during the winter of 1827-1828 and
counsel was sought from Philadelphian Coleman Sellers, who suggested taking off "all the
glass, and have them well cleaned, and Rubed with whiting so as to Remove any grease that
might get on by handling &c then take white lead putty, (made with drying Oil and Tapan)
and bed each Glass well into it—so as to Cement their edges together—or Rather the
surfaces when they over lap each other."[816] As well founded as Sellers' advice was, it
proved only a temporarily solution to a perennially vexing problem. Finally, in July 1828 the
Board of Visitors authorized the executive committee to tear off part of the "exterior
covering from the lower range of dormitories" and appropriated $225 for the purpose.[817]
John Hartwell Cocke informed Brockenbrough that the board wanted "to make the
Experiment of exposing the rooflets in part on one of blocks of one of the lower Ranges,
with the view to ascertain by Comparison, the practical effect of the external plank Covering
on the rooflets:—You will therefore proceed forthwith, to take off about half the upper plank
covering from one of blocks of Dormitories in Either of the Lower Ranges—Such of the
plank as is found to be sound may be used for the Repairs order'd in the residue of this
Covering & will consequently diminish the Expence of this item."[818] The proctor, after a
two week excurision to Warm Springs, told Cocke that he would proceed to carry out the
experiment on "one of the blocks of Dormitories on the East Street and use the plank for the
repairs else where—The gutters I think had best be covered by laying a narrow board length
ways, to Keep them clear in case of a Sudden Thaw, but not so close as to prevent the rain
Water from passing freely in."[819] Cocke considered the proctor's plan to lay a plank over
the gutters of the uncovered roofs of the dormitories "essential where the gutters are lined
with metal—and even where there is no metal, it may be useful in the way you mention, in
case of a sudden thaw."[820]