Thomas Jefferson's chemistry lab: Hidden lab discovered under Virginia's Rotunda, A chemistry lab designed by Thomas Jefferson was discovered under the iconic Rotunda building at the University of Virginia, and appears to be linked to a nearby classroom that was part of the university’s initial construction from the early 1820s.The University of Virginia’s website announced the find on October 16, writing that the chemical hearth “had been sealed in one of the lower-floor walls of the Rotunda since the 1850s, and thus was protected from the 1895 fire that destroyed much of the building’s interior.” Conservators working with crews during the building’s two-year renovations discovered the hidden room.
Describes ABC News: “Constructed sometime between 1822 and 1826, the hearth was walled off in 1850 and survived a major fire that destroyed much of the building in 1895, according to the University of Virginia website. It was discovered during an ongoing two-year renovation of the building. While cutting edge for its time, the hearth is far different from anything seen in a modern chemistry lab. Special flues carried out toxic air and heated sand was used to disperse and temper the heat instead of just turning down a knob.”
Brian Hogg, senior historic preservation planner in the Office of the Architect for the University, called the room a “very exciting surprise” for the school. “This may be the oldest intact example of early chemical education in this country,” Hogg said in a news release.
According to Hogg, John Emmet, the first professor of natural history at the university, “collaborated with University founder Thomas Jefferson to equip the space” and would have used the semi-circular niche lab to teach his classes.
In a letter dated April 1823, Jefferson proposed that the lab be located on the lower level of the Rotunda so that water would not have to be pumped up to higher floors. “For the Professor of Chemistry, such experiments as require the use of furnaces, cannot be exhibited in his ordinary lecturing room,” Jefferson wrote. “We therefore prepare the rooms under the oval rooms of the ground floor of the Rotunda for furnaces, stoves &c. These rooms are of 1,000 square feet area each.”
“The hearth is significant as something of the University’s early academic years,” said Mark Kutney, an architectural conservator in the University Architect’s office. “The original arch above the opening will have to be reconstructed, but we hope to present the remainder of the hearth as essentially unrestored, preserving its evidence of use.”
Once the renovations are complete, Thomas Jefferson’s chemistry lab will be open to the public.
Describes ABC News: “Constructed sometime between 1822 and 1826, the hearth was walled off in 1850 and survived a major fire that destroyed much of the building in 1895, according to the University of Virginia website. It was discovered during an ongoing two-year renovation of the building. While cutting edge for its time, the hearth is far different from anything seen in a modern chemistry lab. Special flues carried out toxic air and heated sand was used to disperse and temper the heat instead of just turning down a knob.”
Brian Hogg, senior historic preservation planner in the Office of the Architect for the University, called the room a “very exciting surprise” for the school. “This may be the oldest intact example of early chemical education in this country,” Hogg said in a news release.
According to Hogg, John Emmet, the first professor of natural history at the university, “collaborated with University founder Thomas Jefferson to equip the space” and would have used the semi-circular niche lab to teach his classes.
In a letter dated April 1823, Jefferson proposed that the lab be located on the lower level of the Rotunda so that water would not have to be pumped up to higher floors. “For the Professor of Chemistry, such experiments as require the use of furnaces, cannot be exhibited in his ordinary lecturing room,” Jefferson wrote. “We therefore prepare the rooms under the oval rooms of the ground floor of the Rotunda for furnaces, stoves &c. These rooms are of 1,000 square feet area each.”
“The hearth is significant as something of the University’s early academic years,” said Mark Kutney, an architectural conservator in the University Architect’s office. “The original arch above the opening will have to be reconstructed, but we hope to present the remainder of the hearth as essentially unrestored, preserving its evidence of use.”
Once the renovations are complete, Thomas Jefferson’s chemistry lab will be open to the public.
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