Architectural Fragments Collection
![The "sun-god" is illustrated in Freart de Chambray's, Parallele de L'Architecture Antique avec la Moderne. This illustration [drawing of sun-god] is of the frieze found in the Baths of Diocletian, in Rome."](images/archi_sungod_sm.jpg)
Sun God from the Northwest Piazza entablature;
cast lead. |
Monticello's architectural fragments collection consists of items preserved during the course of restoration undertaken to stabilize and protect Monticello’s main house and associated dependencies. The collection consists of items that cannot be reused, that are threatened by deterioration, or that relate to the history of restoration at Monticello. In addition some elements that are particularly good examples of 18th and early 19th century building technology are, in rare instances removed and preserved for educational purposes or exhibition.
Items in the collection can be generally categorized by building material type under the headings of: masonry, wood, hardware, paint and coatings, and miscellaneous materials. Masonry-related materials include: brick, stone, mortar, plaster, composition ornament, and sand and lime samples.
 Iron bracket used to elevate the roof balustrade slightly above roof for drainage; bracket was anchored through roof into the ceiling. |
Wood artifacts include: framing materials, sheathing samples, wooden shingles, doors, roof balusters, and miscellaneous architectural elements. Some original wooden elements have been removed and put into storage because of preservation concerns while other items are incorrect restorations or additions removed in the course of restoration. There are also numerous other artifacts that have been recovered from various areas and saved.
Hardware items include: iron removed during the 1950's era restoration, primarily from the terras roof work (the low-pitched area made up of zigzag rooflets at the center of the house's roof system) and Entrance Hall ceiling restoration; nails of various types; lead and roofing metal, including examples of original sheet iron and tin-plated shingles; and brass and iron hardware, much of which was removed and put into storage because of excessive wear.
Paint related materials consist of paint samples from numerous surfaces, both exterior and interior. A library of paint samples has been compiled to which additions are made regularly. A systematic, space by space analysis was undertaken some years ago and continues to be updated as new projects are undertaken.
 One of two identical pulleys with mahogany wheels located on the Entrance Hall entablature; use unknown. |
The miscellaneous category includes glass, window sash cord, and other material such as debris cleaned from various areas and retained.
A study collection is comprised of representative examples from all categories. Also included in the study collection are: joinery samples illustrating construction details for window sash, doors, paneling, and the parquet floor in the parlor; paint-related raw materials such as pigments, resins, and binders; and examples of brickwork, plastering, and compo ornament.