New Research on the Academical Village Model
Constructed for the 1926 Philadelphia’s World’s Fair

Elizabeth Hicks

If it weren’t for Mr. Lindwood H. Warwick, all information that exists about the architectural model of the Academical Village might have been lost. After several trips to the Special Collections Library, I finally came across a file that mentioned an architectural model in Mr. Warwick’s personal files. Mixed in amongst his personal letters, memoirs and other work-related documents, was a folder containing considerable information about the architectural model and the University’s cloudy history at the 1926 Philadelphia’s World Fair. Highlights of Warwick’s personal documents include original blueprints of the model, a formal invitation from the Exposition Committee, blueprints to the Palace of Education with a space clearly designated for the University of Virginia, and even the original shipping tags from the Sesquicentennial Association. Despite all of the evidence pointing to the University’s participation, a careful reading of the correspondence in the file would confirm otherwise.

The first question one might ask is who is Linwood Warwick and why would all of this information be stowed away in his personal files? Letters reveal that Warwick was the personal secretary to a Mr. Wilbur A. Nelson, head of the Geology Department at the University of Virginia. In 1926 Nelson was appointed chairman of the committee designated to organize the University’s participation in the Exposition. It is not quite clear why Mr. Nelson, a Geology professor, became the head of this project, but his role would be pivotal in securing a spot for the model at the Exposition.

The file’s correspondence begins with a formal invitation sent to president Edwin A. Alderman (1905-1931) by the Sesquicentennial Association on February 25, 1926. After appointing Nelson chairman of the University’s Exposition Committee and charging him with the organization of the University’s exhibit, Alderman turned to securing funding. In a letter dated May 1st, 1926, Nelson wrote on behalf of Alderman to Governor Harry Byrd (who would later lead the “Virginia Day” at the Exposition) requesting $2,500 to be used towards the University’s exhibit at the Exposition: “as you know, this entire Exposition is built around the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson. On this account, it is impossible for the University of Virginia to refuse the request of the officials of this Exposition for an exhibit.” Unfortunately, Byrd replied a few days later denying Alderman’s request, stating that the funds were “vested entirely in the new Commission on Conservation and Development.”

Without financial assistance from the state, President Alderman found himself in a difficult situation. According to a document entitled “Estimated Cost of Expenses for the University Exhibit at the Sesquicentennial Exposition, Philadelphia, PA,” the initial breakdown of costs totaled to $5,125. Even with the $2,500 he was hoping to receive from the state, Alderman would still need to raise an additional $2,600 to send the University’s exhibit to Philadelphia. This document also mentions the model for the first time, which was projected to cost $650.

With Byrd’s letter of rejection, and no other funding prospects , Alderman was forced to make the difficult decision to withdraw the University from exhibiting in the Palace of Education. Consequently, Nelson wrote to Joseph Wilson, the Director of Education and Social Economy for the Exposition on May 29th, stating that the University would not be able to exhibit in the Educational Building at the Exposition “due to the lateness of getting started and due to the fact that he (Alderman) feels that we have not sufficient funds to make an exhibit in this building which would be in keeping with the University.” However, by the time this letter was sent and Alderman had made his final decision not to exhibit in the Palace of Education, the construction of the model was already well underway. Without an official exhibition space, Alderman now focused all his efforts in finding a suitable space to display the model which would now serve as the University’s sole representation at the fair.

On June 5, 1926, Alderman received a letter from close friend, Fiske Kimball—former head of the Department of Art and Architecture at University of Virginia (1919-1923), who had since become Director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and would serve as such until 1955. Kimball directed Alderman to a Miss Caroline Sinkler, who was serving as the temporary chairman of the “Southern Woman’s Committee” which had taken on the task of reconstructing the historical “High Street,” one of the many highlights of the Exposition. Kimball had been charged with reviewing architectural sketches and plans for the Committee and suggested the “Jefferson House” to Alderman as an ideal venue for the University’s model. Monticello had already secured space in the house for some period furniture and the famed “Jefferson Gig” which would be escorted up to Philadelphia by Governor Byrd later in the year to celebrate “Virginia Day.” In response to a June 10th letter from Alderman requesting space for the model, Miss Sinkler stated that the Committee for the Jefferson House would “be delighted to accept the model” and has reserved space for it and even a “few handsome pictures.”

After securing space for the model, Alderman dropped out of all correspondence concerning the Exposition and the model (according to Warwick’s files) and handed the reigns off to Nelson, who would be responsible for ensuring the historical accuracy, timely completion and delivery of the model to Philadelphia—a task which would prove to be more complicated than anticipated.

Nelson first contacted Victor Mindeleff, of Mindeleff Studios (as indicated on the model’s plaques) about constructing a model of the University’s grounds in May, 1926. Although Mindeleff promised to complete the model by August 1st, it was not completed and delivered to the venue until October 12, two days before “Virginia Day” and only a month before the end of the entire Exposition itself. One reason for the delay was uncooperative weather and separation of the model maker from his subject. To ensure accuracy, William Partridge, the architect constructing the miniature buildings of the model, had requested detailed photographs of the structures that were to be included in the model. Weeks of rain and overcast weather prevented the photographer from taking any good shots to send to Mindeleff’s studio in Washington.

Another factor that contributed to the model’s late completion included last minute additions of buildings that had not been included in the original blueprints, such as Carr’s Hill by request of Alderman. These inclusions also affected the overall costs which jumped from $650 to $1152.30 (with the new price allowing for a wooden frame and glass case).

Despite the cost and delay, it was clear through Alderman’s letters to Nelson that the commission and inclusion of the architectural model at the Exposition was considered of utmost importance, especially due to the University’s inability to install an official exhibit at the Palace of Education. Its presence, even if only for a month, was the opportunity for the University of Virginia to be represented and recognized by millions at the World’s Fair.