On the Lawn

As I spent time in Virginia this summer, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to walk the halls of history and visit the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.  You might say this is a long time in  coming because, as a former student of architecture, I spent a lot of time analyzing Thomas Jefferson's layout and design of his Academic Village.  At the heart of Jefferson's concept, remains the focal point Rotunda (originally containing school rooms and library), with ten Pavilions (housing students/faculty and dining facilities) extended from the Rotunda thus creating a central open area known as The Lawn.

Admittedly, it seemed surreal to walk among these buildings and on The Lawn after studying about them so many years ago!  I was definitely in my element as one who loves history and any chance to witness it.  Even though it was one of the hottest days of the year -- with a heat index of around 105F (40C) -- I didn't short-cut my visit to this campus or any of the buildings central to Jefferson's design.

Unfortunately the Rotunda suffered major damage in a 1895 fire that left only the brick shell. Fortunately for us, though, the Architecture department at UVA organized efforts to rebuild the Rotunda to its original design;  the building we see today is, in essence, as it was when it was built.  One liberty the administrators took in the rebuild was adding modern-day air conditioning which I certainly didn't mind!  The renovation efforts were well-received because in 1987, Jefferson's Academic Village was named a World Heritage site which puts it in good company with the Taj Mahal, Versailles and the Great Wall of China!

During our tour of the Rotunda, we witnessed some pieces from Jefferson's day including his statue sculpted by Alexander Galt.  The story goes that students "rolled and dragged the statue out of the burning building on mattresses" in the late 19th century fire. 

There are so many features I could mention but I will limit my comments to highlight the oval shaped rooms that create the hour-glass entrance halls, the Argand lamps (chandeliers) brought back from Paris that were more economical than candles, architectural elements from four ancient orders (Tuscan, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian) and, of course, the top floor Dome Room containing library shelves behind paired columns with an oculus skylight that continues to light the space.

Apparently Jefferson enjoyed overlooking the The Lawn from the top-floor Dome Room.  From here he could see his community of scholars involved in what he hoped were lifelong pursuits of learning and quests for knowledge.

The rest of the campus isn't too shabby either =) Keeping with Jefferson's design elements, the University of Virginia makes for one of the most beautiful campuses in America today.

Monticello

Thomas Jefferson spent 33 years in the public's eye after writing the US Declaration of Independence. According to his writings, Jefferson made it known he preferred the quiet country life that his home in rural Virginia offered. Jefferson retreated to Monticello as often as possible during his days as Congressman, Vice-President, President and especially after he retired from public office in 1809.

What a treat to visit Jefferson's home in Charlottesville Virginia, his life philosophy expressed through architecture and landscape. It is known that Monticello was first occupied by Jefferson in 1770 and remained his principle residence till his death on July 4th 1826 (50 years to the day after signing the Declaration of Independence). Apparently it took some 200 employees, mostly slaves, to maintain the house and grounds. Workers contributed to the functioning of blacksmith shop, smokehouse, storehouses, carpenter's shop, kitchen, laundry, wine cellars and, of course, the 1,000 acres of plantation (crop cultivation).

Touring Monticello revealed to me how much Jefferson appreciated the innovative mind, as we were able to see items such as the spherical sundial and outdoor barometer. Inside, a machine to replicate the copying of books, clocks that operated for a week without winding, dumb-waiters, double-glass windows, automatic door openers and various other inventions were intended to simplify life at Monticello.

Central to Jefferson's philosophy is that of learning, demonstrated by his collection of thousands of books along with items of culture and nature that decorated the walls of his home. His temple of knowledge, the largest personal library collection in the US at the time, was eventually sold to the US government to help populate the Library of Congress during the days of the American Revolution. There are, however, a number of his books that remain on the shelves at Monticello which is intriguing to know that Jefferson picked up and studied these volumes!

On our tour, I learned the gardens that surround Monticello arose from Jefferson's curiosity about the natural world. As described in the literature given to visitors, "The gardens became a living laboratory for the study of plants from around the world." It is interesting to see how his love for the oval shape (as seen in his buildings) made its way to the layout of his informal landscaped gardens.  As is also evident at the University of Virginia, the serpentine walls and walks help create oval-shaped garden areas.

From the wine cellars to gardens to terraces leading to the outdoor pavilions, there is little doubt that Monticello was one of a kind. As our tour guide mentioned, most (if not all) homes in Virginia at the time were small one-to-two room log homes so this 21 room residence with extended gardens on a sprawling 13,000 acre estate was definitely a vision for its day. Even though Jefferson died financially destitute, one cannot argue that he lived a life appreciating the marvels of the world around him.

Sweet Virginia

Part of the degree requirements for a Masters of Education with a specialization in school counseling is that I attend a quarter of my classes on campus at Liberty University located in central Virginia. At first I thought it would be somewhat of an inconvenience because all other courses I can take online from anywhere there is hi-speed internet access. After attending these intensives, however, I am glad for these requirements because I can meet others in my program, learn counseling and education skills requiring personal interaction and make new friends from all over the country!

I decided to polish off two of the one-week intensives this summer which meant staying in Lynchburg for the entire month of July. Fortunately, new-found friends agreed to let me stay at their house which saved me from having to pay a bundle on hotel bills. Besides, it was a wonderful opportunity to get to know some undergraduate students also attending Liberty, not only witnessing their talents as they are involved in music ministry but their love of barbequing and setting things on fire (like backyard fireworks on the 4th =)

This may seem a little strange, but I have to mention something about my discovery in the Madison Heights area near our home. I feel like an explorer who discovered something amazing... but then I'm sure a lot of people feel the same who venture to the La Carreta restaurant. There's a lunch deal that I simply cannot believe. Imagine a platter-size plate of pico de gallo and cheese, taco, chile relleno, beans, and another dinner plate of salad, guacamole, tomato-cucumber-onion medley and bowl of chips with salsa for $4.36 including tax. Obviously this is a two-course meal for me and I take half home so, in essence, a lunch there ends up being $2.18 including tax! Can't beat that when you're on a student budget. I'm glad Virginia went Mexican =)

And I can't post an entry on my time at Liberty without mentioning the incredible free facilities available to faculty and students at the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Center. Picture this: close to the campus on a nearby (what Virginians call a) mountain is a lodge with year-round skiing and snow-boarding. You ask how can they offer skiing and snowboarding all year, especially in the 90+ degree days of summer? Well, the runs are made of a synthetic material designed to simulate the slip and grip effects of snow. Snowflex has a water misting system that keeps the surface moist, enabling skiers of all ages to venture to the slopes till midnight most every day of the year!

Regardless how intense these on-campus classes are -- and they are called intensives for a reason -- it is definitely wonderful to recuperate with facilities like Liberty Mountain and local restaurant deals afterward!  I'm actually kind of sorry there is only one more on-campus course required in my schedule =)