The Rotunda — Attraction in Charlottesville

Whatever your opinions of Thomas Jefferson may be, it goes without saying that his Rotunda is one of the most significant pieces of American and collegiate architecture ever built. Although it’s not spectacularly large, the Rotunda inspires awe with every repeated visit. The beauty of its symmetry, proportions, thoughtfulness of design, the flow of the paths surrounding it, the details of the interior, the clever way Jefferson somehow seems to make the interior larger than the exterior - you have to try hard in order to not be impressed. Of course, the Rotunda isn’t isolated in situ and must be appreciated along with the rest of Jefferson’s Lawn - part of the experience is wandering around the Rotunda and seeing it from different vantage points. Altogether, it’s a testament to the architectural prowess of Jefferson and the skilled labor of the slaves and freedmen who were responsible for the many thousands of back-breaking bricks lain and mortar spread in the hot Virginia sun to make his vision a reality. There is no UVA without the Rotunda, and really, no Charlottesville, and if you want to get dramatic - no secular state education. This was the building that played a central role in separating the church from the college. UVA was the first college in the US that did not have a church or chapel intentionally built as it’s center, but rather a library, a place of learning and curiosity rather than a place of worship and religious power. You have to remember the horrors inflicted on Europe by the unholy marriage of the Catholic Church and the kings and emperors, as well as the horrors inflicted on the young colonies by puritan ministers with the same designs of power and control, and that these things must have been fresh in the mind of Jefferson when he had this vision for a school free from the crushing oversight of religion. That’s what the rotunda means to me: a beautiful beacon on a hill, sullied by the selfishness of a great man with a revolutionary but flawed vision for the free education of every man. It’s a perfect representation of the complexity of history - Great Men do great things, but also carry contradictions that chip away at that marble facade of greatness. It is well, well worth a visit, and an absolute must whether you’re just traveling through, or moving here, or have been here for a while and haven’t...

MUSEUM TICKETS FOR FREE ADMISSION, FOOD AVAILABILITY, AND PARKING. OH AND THE WHITE HOUSE…. My very first trip to DC area. Here are my thoughts and opinions. Honestly, I’m very proud to be an American. The White house was not what I had envisioned. I am glad I went and we enjoyed walking to all the sites that I had only read about in history books or our news. The White House was underwhelming and felt strangely empty. Notable is the “white” paint that covers the White House was a white I have never scene before, almost iridescent; ghostly. It was difficult to find a place to eat lunch other than the parked ice cream trucks with past presidential memorabilia. The museums we had planned that are advertised “free entry” were actually ticket based. Meaning you can get free tickets for admission but you need to get them very early because they hit capacity pretty quick. This was not clear to us so we missed out on getting tickets early enough to get in. Keep this in mind if you plan on museums. Also, I would recommend renting scooters to get around the city efficiently. Parking was pretty difficult and scarce and not...

The Rotunda is a phenomenal piece of history -- offering breath taking architectural character and presence. From the moment the structure appears, the roof shines the brightness of the Virginia sky. The building is perfectly proportional in geometry, further accentuating its beauty.

The bottom floor offers history of the structure and can be accessed from beneath the main entrance on the lawn side. The second floor has several large round rooms along with a statue of Thomas Jefferson. It can be accessed from either side up the main stairs. The third floor is where the main dome room can be accessed and has many study areas for students. It can be accessed after entering the building and going up one of the narrow stair cases. The dome room also has a balcony where one can overlook the main space. The view of the lawn from the main dome room is amazing.

The Rotunda truly...