The Detectives
Richard Guy Wilson

	John Neilson, American, d. 1827 Drawing of Pavilion I, October 1820 - March 1821 India ink, watercolor, pencil on hand-ruled paper, N-344
	Above Window detail from Pavilion II

Interview by Karol Lawson

When did you begin researching Jefferson’s plans for the University? What are the sources you study in your research?

I came to the University in 1976, and while I was vaguely interested in Jefferson and his architecture at that time I was more focused on later things. However, you stay around long enough and “they get you” and I found myself increasingly drawn to Jefferson’s creation. It is quite simply one of, if not the greatest, American design ever done. Certainly for its time it is the top, but also it has survived while at the same time changing. I was first interested in the survival story, how it changed—the work of McKim, Mead and White
for instance—but then you get pulled back to the origins. We are very lucky to have such a landmark right here in our front yard and also most of the documents and papers are here. The story of their survival is a tale in itself.

What is the most surprising fact you’ve uncovered about Jefferson’s construction of the University?

I think the most interesting and surprising element about Jefferson’s design is that yes, he asked for some help but, ultimately it was his own design and it shows his full maturity as an architect. He follows the rules of classical design and then he breaks them.

What is the most exciting document that you’ve come across in your study of the Academical Village?

There has been lots of excitement over different things, but I think the most important was the realization that the original plans were done back in 1814 and then how he changed and modified them as circumstances changed…money…site…different purpose (upgraded from an academy to a college to a university)…and then also the relationship of the different pavilions and his sources. It is a complex of buildings loaded with meanings, some explicit, others hidden.

	Colonnade view

What part of the University, what detail or view, do you think best embodies Jefferson’s vision of his Academical Village? What spot at the University should every visitor see
in person?

Well on one level you have to see all of it… and experience each part, but two of my most favorite views are walking up a colonnade with the sun coming through the columns, casting shadows and looking out across the Lawn with the trees to the other side, and the second is just walking onto the lawn from underneath or the side of the Rotunda and seeing it all spread out. I could go on.