Each year approximately 500,000 people journey up the winding, narrow road from Charlottesville, Virginia, to visit Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. In 1990 a team of architects from the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) made this same journey to record Jefferson's residence inside and out.
Monticello in Measured Drawings presents HABS' unique set of plan, elevations, sections, and details of the house as it was actually built. They expose many of Monticello's behind-the-scenes mysteries. Seeral reveal the house's complex facade, while others details the relationship of individual floors and the fascinating array of architectural elements found throughout the house.
Each drawing is accompanied by insightful commentary from William L. Beiswanger, Monticello's Robert H. Smith Director of Restoration. He shares his intimate knowledge of Jefferson's home gained over nearly three decades and reveals his own affection for this historic house. Beiswanger describes Jefferson's struggle to find harmony between the classical system of architectural proportion and his own ""law of convenience."" He also comments on renowned features such as the narrow stairs and the ""conveniences""-indoor privies, and automatic door to the parlor, a revolving serving door-that America's third president incorporated in the design of his home. Stories from guests' and family members' experiences at Monticello during Jefferson's lifetime enliven the book.
