This book, published to coincide with an exhibition of the same name at the Bayly Art Museum, grows out of the University of Virginia's celebration of the 250th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's birth. The Museum's staff had long sought a way to participate meaningfully in the anniversary, and when this project was suggested by two distinguished faculty members, Richard Guy Wilson, Commonwealth Professor of Architectural History in the University's School of Architecture, and Charles Brownell, now of Virginia Commonwealth University, it was clear that the right vehicle had been found. Striking new research produced by two of their former students, Joseph Michael Lasala and Patricia C. Sherwood, seemed an ideal basis on which to build one of the most complex exhibition and publishing projects in the history of the Bayly Art Museum. Jefferson first stated his views on the importance of public education during the 1770s, when he was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. In this commitment, he was far ahead of his time, and he never wavered. It was only after he retired to Monticello at the close of his presidency, however, that he was able to invest himself fully in creating one of his proudest accomplishments, the University of Virginia. This book deals with the evolution of his ideas for the University, the exchanges he had with friends and the contributions they made, the way in which his views on public education and architecture came together, the pervasive impact his creation had on subsequent American architecture, and the ways in which the University is coming to terms with issues of conservation regarding historic buildings that are still in use. Such rich material offers virtually unlimited potential for research, and the authors do not wish to suggest that the book or exhibition are exhaustive in their treatment of these subjects. The exhibition includes less than half of Jefferson's surviving drawings, and certainly it only begins to address comparative materials. Nevertheless, the project marks an important step forward in our understanding of the Academical Village.
In order for such a large project to come to fruition, the help of many people is required. First, one must recognize the significant contributions to scholarship made by the authors, Richard Guy Wilson, Joseph Michael Lasala, Patricia C. Sherwood, and James Murray Howard. In particular, the efforts of Professor Wilson, who worked long hours over many months while serving as guest curator and editor, deserve special notice.
The exhibition's success required the cooperation of Alderman Library's Special Collections Department, for that is where most of Jefferson's drawings for the University customarily reside. Fifty of these most precious works are on view; never before have so many of the original drawings been lent to one exhibition. We extend our warm thanks to Edmund Berkeley, Jr., Director of Special Collections, and particularly to Kathryn N. Morgan, Curator of Rare Books, and Michael F. Plunkett, Curator of Manuscripts, for their extraordinary: generosity and helpfulness. We also must express our gratitude to Gregory A. Johnson, Senior Public Services Assistant in the Special Collections Department, and to the Photographic Services Department at the Library for responding to our numerous requests.
At the Museum, Suzanne Foley, Curator, has shouldered with her usual aplomb the enormous organizational burden a project of this magnitude creates. In this effort she has been ably assisted by Nancy Eklund, Allyson Petty, and Janet Hayden. Kurt G. F. Helfrich, working with Professor Wilson, provided exemplary research assistance. The Museum's Administrator, Ruth Cross, handled the endless financial arrangements, while the Executive Secretary, Susan Howell, provided services too numerous to mention. Jean Lancaster Collier, Registrar, and Rob Browning, Preparator, were instrumental in making the exhibition a reality.
The necessary funds could not have been raised were it not for the efforts of Cecilia Minden Cupp, the Museum's Director of Development. She worked in concert with Jeffrey Plank and Nicholas Duke, Director and Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, respectively, in the Office of University Development; Leonard Sandridge, Executive Vice President; and Colette Capone, Associate Vice President and Director of the Budget. The Design Committee of the Jeffersonian Restoration Advisory Board provided substantial financial support at a critical juncture. We hope this publication justifies their confidence and that it ably serves the goals to which they have devoted so much over the years. Robert Sweeney, Vice President for Development, proved an enthusiastic supporter. For additional financial support the Museum is indebted to Harry Porter, Dean, and the Dean's Forum of the School of Architecture, and to the Committee for the Commemoration of Thomas Jefferson's 250th Birthday. We are grateful also for the sponsorship of the following individuals and corporations, who have recognized the important benefits the arts provide in the communities they serve: Reid and Jessica Nagle, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., Davenport & Co. of Virginia, and Stubblefield Full Service Photo Lab.
The Director of the University Press of Virginia, Nancy Essig, supported the publishing project through several incarnations. Bill Sublette, Editor of the Alumni News, cheerfully provided numerous photographs of the University in response to exacting standards and tight deadlines.
We gratefully acknowledge the Museum's Volunteer Board. Led by Punkie Feil, for its unwavering support. We also extend warmest thanks to the superb volunteers who, under the direction of a tireless and enthusiastic chair, Marjorie Burris, organized the Museum's 1993 Benefit, the proceeds of which were dedicated to the exhibition.
Jim Gibson and Mary Alice Parsons of Gibson Parsons Design, Charlottesville, created an elegant design for the book and other printed materials; Jeff Bushman and several other members of the team at Bushman, Dreyfus Architects in Charlottesville produced an equally sensitive installation design. Thanks are also due George Cruger, whose gentle editing of the manuscript enhances every page of the book.
An advisory team assisted the principal researchers in the early phases of the project. In addition to the authors, this group included William Beiswanger, Architect at Monticello; Charles Brownell, Associate Professor of Art History at Virginia Commonwealth University; Omer A. Gianniny, emeritus Chair of the Humanities Division of the Engineering School; K. Edward Lay and Robert Vickery of the Architecture School; and Michael Plunkett.
Thanks also to the architectural historians, all long affiliated with the University of Virginia, who laid the foundations for the research presented here, particularly Fiske Kimball, Frederick D. Nichols, William B. O'Neal, and K. Edward Lay.
The Bayly Art Museum takes great pleasure and pride in presenting this work to the public. It is our hope that it stimulates further research into the origins and impact of Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village.
ANTHONY HIRSCHEL
Director, Bayly Art Museum