Thomas Jefferson was one of the foremost architects of his day, especially when it came to the classical tradition which was popular at the time. The single building that most influenced his ideas about architecture was the Maison Carrée, a Roman ruin in Nimes, France. Jefferson considered it the finest remaining example of classical design, and he mirrored that design in many of his own designs.

Every one of the structures shown on this page has a connection to Thomas Jefferson, the architect, presented in chronological order.

Monticello, Charlottesville Thomas Jefferson began construction on his personal home (and base of operations for his extensive plantation and land holdings) in 1768, but numerous remodelings and design changes delayed completion until 1809. Jefferson borrowed many ideas from classical European buildings in Monticello's design. The columned ortico came from the Temple of Vesta in Rome; the centralized plan from Andrea Palladio's Villa Rotunda in Vicenza; and, the dome from the Hotel Salm in Paris.

George Divers House, Charlottesville Thomas Jefferson designed the octagonal wing of this house for his friend, George Divers. Work began about 1785 and was completed in 1802.

Virginia State Capitol, Richmond Jefferson designed this Neoclassical building to set it apart from the British-inspired architecture found throughout much of Virginia in his day. It takes little imagination to see that he based the overall design on the Maison Carrée. It was completed in 1792.

Poplar Forest, Bedford County Jefferson began the construction of this octagonal brick house in 1806. Here he was able to put many of the architectural ideas he had collected throughout his years of study and travels to use. The 16th century Italian architect Andrea Palladio greatly influenced Jefferson's plan for what would become his second-favorite home, after Monticello. And, although he included them in many designs, this is the only octagonal structure he ever personally constructed.

Charlotte County Courthouse Completed in 1823, this is the only Virginia courthouse designed by Jefferson that is still standing.

Academical Village, University of Virginia, Charlottesville Jefferson's last great project, and the one for which he worked the hardest, was the design and building of a public institution of higher learning. Parallel rows of five two-story red brick pavilions line two sides of a two-acre lawn. Each pavilion is built with different plans, facades, and decorative details. The designs were planned by Jefferson to serve as models of different orders of ancient architecture. One end of the lawn is anchored by a Rotunda inspired by the Pantheon in Rome that originally housed the library.

Ampthill Plantation, Cumberland County, VA The red brick addition in the foreground of the picture was designed by Jefferson, the last house he designed. It was completed in 1835.

Questions or comments about this page?