Primary Document Report Virginia Capitol

Primary Document Report Name: Tyler Grove Date: March 16th 2009 Title of Document: The Virginia State Capitol Building Source: Building Brief Explanation of Document (Include who originated the source, the possible audience for which the document was generated, the form of the document (report, letter, diary, etc), date of the document; any other information you believe pertinent to understanding the document. After the Revolution, Virginians instinctively turned to Jefferson and asked him to design a new state Capitol, combining "economy with elegance and utility." Jefferson designed this building to be "a temple of sovereignty." He hoped to impress foreign visitors, raise our reputation in the eyes of the world, and inspire citizens of Virginia. The Virginia State Capitol was modeled after a building in Nîmes, France. Construction began in 1785, it was sufficiently completed to be used for the General Assembly to meet in October 1792. Possible ways in which this document might be used in a research paper or in the development of a lesson plan. The Virginia State Capitol building as an excellent example of the style of architecture that Jefferson thought was important. It demonstrated “early republican” ideals of architecture. It is a building of neo-classical design that demonstrated the importance of Roman architecture. Possible Discussion/ Essay Questions: 1. What does the design of the Virginia Capitol tell about the opinion of work at the time? 2. Why was nature important to Jefferson? 3. What is the significance for Jefferson for designing a building that is modeled on one that is located in France? How does this document relate to other documents you have examined or heard about? The Maison Carrée is located in Nîmes France. The Virginia Capitol was based on its design. It is a Roman temple dating back from the first century A.D.

Supporting Article: Wenger, Mark R. “Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia State Capitol.” The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 101, No. 1(Jan., 1939): 77-102.

Wenger’s article highlights the influence and planning by Thomas Jefferson in the moving of the capitol to Richmond and its construction. For Jefferson, moving of the capitol away from Williamsburg was a very important change. Williamsburg represented the “old corrupt order” and the symbolic obsolescence of the English in Virginia. As early as 1776, Jefferson had plans to move the capitol to Richmond but it was not until his election as Virginia governor on June 3rd 1779 that he able to secure passage of an act moving the capitol to Richmond. The capitol was intended to be an extensive building complex with the Capitol and apartments for the State Senate and House of Delegates. It was also to include a courts building and governor’s residence. The suite of buildings was designed to house the three components of government: executive, legislative and judicial. These plans would have to wait until after the Revolutionary War. Thomas Jefferson had big plans for his design describing it as having “a larger purpose that highlighted outward form and symbolic content over

logistical details of interior arrangement.” (95) Influences of Williamsburg were found in at least the internal design. For Jefferson, his form “embodied the rugged goodness of the ancients and its echo in the virtuous simplicity of American Life.” (92) Jefferson had designed his plans for the capitol building as early as July 1776. Jefferson was in France when it was decided to combine the suite into one building. While in France, Thomas Jefferson consulted with CharlesLouise Clerisseau in the design. In Jefferson’s mind the capitol was “simple and sublime.” Wenger identifies that nature was central to the identity of America in Jefferson’s mind. The falls of the James River provided a striking overlook for the capitol, which was seated on a hill above the James. Wenger concludes that “More than any other of Jefferson’s architectural projects this building was a calculated expression of social, political and moral values. Through a new capitol, Jefferson sought to share his aspirations for the future of American and that of mankind.”(102)