This Old House Restoring a masterpiece
Monticello has always been a work in progress. Beginning with Jefferson’s initial directions in 1768, extending through the Levy ownership from 1834 until Jefferson M. Levy sold Monticello to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation in 1923, and continuing today, work continues to build, maintain and restore this internationally important World Heritage Site. Since acquiring Monticello, the Foundation has been committed to the preservation and restoration of Jefferson’s mountaintop home, ensuring that it reflects his architectural vision — including the house, gardens and Mulberry Row. The scholarly approach that has marked the stewardship of this World Heritage Site began with the restoration of the North Wing in 1938. Since then, generations of architects, historians, restoration experts, curators and archaeologists have worked together to restore Monticello, interpreting a wealth of physical and documentary evidence. The following are just a few of the projects that have conserved, protected and maintained Monticello over the past 100 years.
Reconstruction of the South Terrace in 1941
The Roof
From the time Thomas Jefferson began planning Monticello in the 1760s, he took a keen interest in the question of how to shelter himself effectively and economically from the weather. He approached the issue from the vantage point of both architect and engineer and considered some of the most progressive roof structures and coverings of his time. In at least one case he can be credited with a truly innovative roof form — the “zigzag” or “terras” roof. The restoration of Monticello’s roof and dome, started in 1991 and finished in 1992, was a major undertaking. The Foundation faithfully restored what was, in its time, one of the most complex roofing systems on any house in America, especially with its iconic dome. Just as they have for many other restoration
projects at Monticello, Jefferson’s extensive notes helped guide work on the roof. The roof restoration included a lengthy list of repairs and careful reconstructions. Tinned stainless steel shingles replicated the tinned iron shingles that covered the dome and main roof in the 1820s. Painted stainless steel was substituted for the painted sheet iron that covered the upper terras roof after 1803. A new balustrade was constructed that closely followed Jefferson’s classical design and incorporated more than 50 original balusters.
The dome was restored, and 11 skylights made in the Jeffersonian
style were installed.
The 1990s roof restoration is the third time that the Thomas Jefferson
Foundation has replaced Monticello’s roof. The first was in 1924, pictured in this photo donated by Lenore Granger Watts, whose father, Gordon Granger Jr., worked on restorations and took the photo.
Bob Self, former director of the restoration department, works on the Monticello roof restoration in 1992. The second restoration was completed in 1955, under the direction of architect Milton Grigg, pictured here with Fiske Kimball (left). Kimball oversaw numerous Monticello restoration projects from 1939 until his death in 1955.
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