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 Charles-

Louise 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)