Period
1938-1958
University of Virginia: Heritage Preservation Framework Plan
Location
Charlottesville, Virginia
Notables
National Historic Landmark
HISTORIC LEGACY
The University of Virginia is widely celebrated for the iconic ‘Academical Village’ designed by Thomas Jefferson, but its architectural heritage extends well into the modern era. MCWB surveyed every building on campus to support the University in preserving its most valuable historic buildings and landscapes. This framework provides a comprehensive record of each relevant structure, analyzing its historical significance, architectural integrity, and its contextual importance within the broader campus setting.
Thomas Jefferson
PROJECT OVERVIEW
To begin this project, MCWB delved into the University’s history and evolution, identifying the events and trends that shaped its landscape. Evaluation criteria established by the UVA Advisory Committee guided the assessment of each building and landscape, with emphasis on three key categories: History and Associations, Landscape and Context, and Architectural Value.
RESEARCH & DOCUMENTATION
Through extensive research and detailed field surveys, MCWB examined 121 buildings and 24 key landscapes, identifying their roles in the University of Virginia’s rich history and growth. Each structure and landscape was meticulously documented in individual reports, capturing layers of historical insight that form the backbone of the framework plan.
To support ongoing preservation efforts, MCWB developed guidelines to help enhance the care and stewardship of these resources. These recommendations address practical concerns, from maintenance and adaptive reuse to long-term conservation, ensuring the University’s historic legacy endures for generations.
FINAL PLAN
Completed in 2006, the original framework plan laid the groundwork for a more comprehensive approach to preservation at the University of Virginia. It was intended to be updated periodically to incorporate new acquisitions and to include buildings newly designated as historic. In 2023, the University approached MCWB to add several new buildings to the framework plan, update entries for others, and to draft a new section of the plan that outlines the key characteristics of a successful University of Virginia building. This latest update defines the significance of the university’s built heritage for a new generation.
