Mr. Jefferson Does Not Approve

Do tell. Thomas Jefferson may have been one of Williamsburg, Virginia’s most illustrious residents (for a spell, at least), but that does not mean he was a fan of the Colonial architecture. He even wrote it down.

While doing research for an upcoming post on the different styles of architecture for the Grassroots Guide to Saving What Matters, I ran across that quirky and amusing tidbit in an article on Colonial Williamsburg’s own website.

A well-known fan of classical Roman and Greek architectural styles, and a downright disciple of that work as interpreted by Italian architect Andrea Palladio, Jefferson was of the opinion that the builders in Williamsburg, who were mostly local carpenters and bricklayers, had no taste. Compared to what he designed for himself at Monticello, maybe he had a point.

Still, if enduring appeal means anything at all, maybe he was both right and wrong. Monticello certainly has displayed a good amount of staying power through the years, but so has this place.

The short article on Colonial Williamsburg’s website can be read in its entirety here, and please do click through. It was written by Josh Graml, journeyman-supervisor of their Brickyard with such humor and style that I laughed out loud more than once.

Apologies in advance to Mr. Jefferson, wherever he may be.

Photos by Beth Yarbrough.