The Rotunda and Annex immediately after the fire
Photograph looking east of the Rotunda and Annex immediately after the fire, 1895 Wampler, photographer (MSS 9292-a)
The University treated the Rotunda disaster as an opportunity: reconstruction could address pressing needs and solve the problems of the Academical Village as designed by Jefferson. The faculty and Board of Visitors called for a larger library reading room, new academic and gathering spaces, an entrance to the University on the north side of the Rotunda, and a solution for closing the south end of the Lawn.



Article with photograph of the ruins of the Rotunda portico
Photograph of the ruins of the Rotunda portico with accompanying article from Corks and Curls, 1896 (LD5687.C7 V.9 1896)
A cartoon referring to the Rotunda fire
“A National Calamity” cartoon referring to the Rotunda fire from The Washington Post, 1895 U.Va. Visual History Collection