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Chapter 4
The Building Campaign of 1819, Part 2
Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 |  |
Efforts Redirected
The decision to postpone executing the row of buildings on the backstreet meant that
Jefferson had to make the architectural drawings for the buildings of the east lawn. Jefferson
informed Brockenbrough on 5 June that he had not begun to prepare the plans, "nor shall I
be at leisure to turn to that business till the week after the ensuing one."[278] In the
meantime, Jefferson told the proctor, the laborers could dig the foundations according to the
dimensions of pavilions "No. I. II. III. of the Western range . . . the trimming them to what
shall be the eact size of each will be trifling." The foundations for the dormitories too, of
both ranges, could be dug. But as altering the terms and manner of the contracts already
made with the workmen, "I leave it entirely to yourself."[279]
Jefferson waited until 8 July to inform the other four visitors that the committee of
superintendence substituted the building of three pavilions on the east lawn, with their
"appurtenant dormitories," in place of the hotels and dormitories originally scheduled to be
built. As for Cocke's plan of uniting hotels and dormitories under one shed, the rector
shrewdly diverted attention away from the reasons favoring it by declaring that the
"separation of the students in different and unconnected rooms, by two's and two's, seems a
fundamental of the plan. it was adopted by the first visitors of the Central college, stated by
them in their original report to the Governor as their patron, and by him laid before the
legislature; it was approved and reported by the Commissioners of Rockfish gap to the
legislature; of their opinion indeed we have no other evidence than their acting on it without
directing a change." Jefferson also reminded the visitors of Cabell's wish to alter the layout
of the buildings on the ground plan of the university by placing the gardens of the professors
adjacent to the rear of their pavilions:
thought insuperable to wit, that of the approach of carriages, wood-carts Etc. to
the back of the buildings. mr Cabell's desire however appeared so strong, and
the object of it so proper, that, after separation, I undertook to examine & try
whether it could not be accomplished; and was happy to find it practicable, by a
change which was approved by Genl. Cocke, and since by mr Cabell who has
been lately with me. I think it a real improvement, and the greater, as by
throwing the Hotels and additional dormitories on a back street, it forms in fact
the commencement of a regular town, capable of being enlarged to any extent
which future circumstances may call for.[280]
278. TJ apparently completed all the drawings for the pavilions of the east lawn by the end
of June (see TJ to ASB, 27 June; see also the description of #02-01 in Lasala, "Thomas
Jefferson's Designs for the University of Virginia").
280. TJ to James Breckenridge, Robert B. Taylor, James Madison, and Chapman Johnson,
8-26 July 1819, ViU:TJ. For a discussion of the effects on Jefferson's architectural drawings
by his adaptation of Cabell's suggestion, see Lasala's descriptions of #00-13, #00-14,
#00-15, and #00-16 in "Thomas Jefferson's Designs for the University of Virginia." Robert
B. Taylor, already informed by Senator Cabell of the alteration of the ground plan, told
Jefferson on 27 July that in writing to him "You have imposed on yourself, Sir, a very
unnecessary trouble, as I shoud have adopted, with entire satisfaction, whatever measures
you judgment & experience led you to pursue" (DLC:TJ).
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Chapter 4
The Building Campaign of 1819, Part 2
Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 | |