The Rotunda on the University of Virginia in Charlottesville Virginia was designed by President Thomas Jefferson as the focal point and heart of the “Academic Village” for the pursuit of knowledge and lifelong learning.
The Rotunda was modeled after the 2nd Century temple in Rome and was completed in 1828, two years after Jefferson’s death. The Rotunda was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966, although the plaque says 1972. It has a historic library upstairs and a museum downstairs.
Photos out front show the statue of Thomas Jefferson and the letter “Z” and “IMP”. The Z Society is a secret society that was founded at UVA in 1892 for those who were considered of social distinction and are the “cream of the crop” who contribute significantly to the University through monetary donations. The IMP Society was founded in 1902 as a secret society called the Hot Feet that is notable for combining philanthropy and public mischief. Both the “Z” and “IMP” logos can be found throughout the university.
In the top floor of the Rotunda is a skylight and the Jefferson Library. Thomas Jefferson wanted the library to be centerpiece of his “Academic Village” instead of a church since he believed in the separation of church and state. Jefferson said that “Astronomy, Natural History, Anatomy, Botany, and Chemistry” were fields no one should be ignorant of.
To enter the Rotunda, you must go through the doors at the rear entrance. A guide sits at the entry desk and will provide directions and information. Inside the entry you will see a life size marble statue of Jefferson and a Rotunda Bell that was used to sound the university rhythm by Henry Martin who was enslaved by Jefferson’s Monticello estate.
When doing renovations, they found a chemical fireplace used for heating the Rotunda. And there is also a plaque of the Rectors showing Thomas Jefferson’s name first.
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