January 24, 1996
Introduction
Jefferson Architecture Electronic Archive Center (JAEAC) is an "in process" archive
that brings together materials related to the architecture of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826). In spite of the near universal aclaim accorded to Jefferson's architecture no
comprehensive publication exists that covers his work in detail. Working with curators from
other institutions and Jefferson properties this archive will assemble both primary and
major secondary materials. Comments and information are welcome. Please contact the director at rgw4h@virginia.edu.
The assemblage of this archive has involved extensive collaboration on the part of
holders of Jefferson documents, including the Massachusetts Historical Society, the
Huntington Library, the Library of Congress, and the University of Virginia. Materials owned
by other institutions will be added as the project continues. Also assisting are several
Jefferson properties: Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation; the
Corporation for Jefferson's Popular Forest; and the University of Virginia. Again, others
will be added as the project continues.
Scope of JAEAC: The intention of JAEAC is assemble all primary materials related to
Jefferson's architecture, major secondary materials, and computer based three dimensional
models and simulations. JAEAC will be composed of:
Syllabus and Teacher Instructions
- Suggested course syllabuses dealing with Jeffersons's architecture
and designs will be presented. Examples of courses from the micro to
the macro level with suggested readings and methods by which to use
this archive will be available. Instructions for teachers/students
will be posted.
Architectural Works
- The information on Jefferson's architectural works is accessed by project name. In some cases such as Monticello, or the
University of Virginia
subfiles may exist. The information on each of the Jefferson projects includes
a descriptive heading,
architectural drawings,
later views
(photographs, drawings, primary and secondary literary materials, sources, bibliography,
comuter three
dimensional models and simulations. Included are Jefferson's well known
buildings and others
for which evidence is inconclusive or for which he may have provided
advice, such as Christ Church, Charlottesville and Montpelier. Where
appropiate, public access information to the property -- Monticello,
the University of Virginia, Popular Forest, Virginia State
Capitol -- including hours open, dates, telephone numbers,will be given.
Drawings
- All of Jefferson's known architectural drawings -- including drawings by workmen, such as James Dinsmore
John Neilson, and by other architects, such as William Thornton and Benjamin Henry Latrobe, who were connected
with his projects -- as well as other drawings such as surveys, machines, and drawings in letters are included.
The primary list is Frederick Doveton Nichols, Thomas Jefferson's Architectural Drawings
(4th edition: 1982), which has 576 drawings. The Nichols list with an expanded commentary developed
by Joice Himawan is included. JAEAC follows the Nichols numbering system and then new
numbers above 600. (A new numbering system may be developed). Drawings can be accessed by
a variety of means: by either the Nichols and Kimball numbers in the Catalogue of
Jefferson Drawings,by
building name, by type of
drawing, or through the Architectural Works.
Primary Literary Materials
- These include excerpts from Jefferson's writings and letters related to
architecture, decoration, and building operations. They are filed under Jefferson Quotes on
Architecture, and under Architectural Works.
Secondary Literary Materials-Bibliography
- These include writings on Jefferson's architecture, such as Fiske Kimball, Thomas
Jefferson: Architect (1916), William B. O'Neal, Jefferson's
Fine Arts Library (1976),
Richard Guy
Wilson, ed., Thomas Jefferson's Academical
Village (1993), travelor's accounts, and other
important writings. An annotated bibliography of publications
related to Jefferson's architecture
can be accessed through
Bibliography and author, or through
Architectural Works.
Sources
- In addition to O'Neal, Jefferson's Fine Arts
Library, all of the relevant books
and prints Jefferson owned will be entered electronically. These can be accessed either by
Sources, name of author and title, or through Architectural
Works.
Workmen
- A file is developed on each workman, accessed through either, Workmen,
or name (ie:
Neilson, Dinsmore) and also each of their projects has a Architectural
Work.
Influence
- A file is developed by state and name for buildings indicating his influence.
3D Models
- Compuer based three diminsional models and simulations, or animations through
CAD geomoetry of Jefferson's designs are accessed through either 3D Models, or Building
File.
Evaluation
- Posted is an evaluation worksheet that will contain questions
related to usefulness of JAEAC to be filled out by students/teachers.
MOO
- Direct access to lectures, conferences, discussion groups, and
chat lines. Feedback to JAEAC.
Work to Date: Wilson through a fellowship from Institute for Advanced Technology in the
Humanities (IATH) for the school year 1995-96, began the archive. Working with several
work-study graduate students and the staff of IATH several important books have been entered
electronically. Marking up and posting began of Jefferson drawings. In conjunction with Joice Himawan, Massachusetts Historical Society, a
descriptive entry for Jefferson's drawings is being created. Berkeley and the University
Archives scanned the University's Jefferson drawings. Wilson made contacts with the other
three major Jefferson drawing depositories (Mass. Hist. Soc., Huntington Lib., Library of
Congress) and they have agreed to participate in various ways. Grizzard under the auspices
of IATH is creating a hypertext data base of original records and correspondence dealing
with the construction of the University. Mark with funding from the Development Office has
begun creating a 3-D Computer model of the University.
Personnel
Director
Richard Guy Wilson, Commonwealth Professor, Department of Architectural History, University
of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903 804-924-6462, e-mail rgw4h@virginia.edu
Advisory Board and Participants
- William L. Beiswanger, Director of Restoration and Architectural
Historian, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation (Monticello).
- Edmund (Ned) Berkeley, Jr., University Archivist, Special Collections, Alderman Library,
University of Virginia.
- S. Allen Chambers, Jr., Architectural Historian, Washington, D. C.
- Edward Gaynor, Special Collections, Alderman Library, University of Virginia.
- Frank Grizzard, George Washington Papers, History Department, University of Virginia.
- Joice Himawan, Conservator, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, MA
- J. Murray Howard, AIA, Curator and Architect Academical Village, University of Virginia.
- Daniel P. Jordan, Executive Director, Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Foundation (Monticello).
- K. Edward Lay, Professor, Department of Architecture, University of Virginia.
- Travis McDonald, Director of Restoration, Poplar Forest, Bedford, VA
- Earl Mark, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, University of Virginia.
- Elizabeth Meyer, Associate Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture,
University of Virginia.
- Michael Plunkett, Director of Special Collections, Alderman Library, University of
Virginia.
- Thornton Staples, Project Director, Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanties, University of Virginia.
- John Unsworth, Director, Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, University
of Virginia.
- Mark R. Wenger, Architectural Historian, Colonial Williamsburg, VA.
- Douglas Wilson, Director of International Center, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation,
Charlottesville, VA.
Contributors
- Sara Butler (SAB)
- Anne Bruder (AEB)
- Clark Christinsen (CCC)
- Dale Gyure (DAG)
- Claudine Hof (CF)
- Joseph Michael Lasala (JML)
- Jennifer Thompson (JNT)
- Richard Guy Wilson (RGW)
- Catherine Zipf (CWZ)
JAEAC Home Page
Last Modified: Monday, 23-Mar-1998 13:56:33 EST