Restoration/Conservation of the
1926 Model of the Academical Village
Brian Cofrancesco, Project Leader
The Jefferson Trust
Project Report
Fall 2012
1. Please give us a summary of the project to date.
The physical restoration/conservation of the Model of the Academical Village has been
completed and the project is wrapping up a few final elements. Since my last report,
work on the new case was finalized with new screws installed by UVA Conservator Mark
Kutney, bringing final stabilization to the piece. In the months following, I was in
communication with School of Architecture Building Manager Dick Smith who assisted in
coordinating the repair and repainting of the Model’s base in a neutral gray. I also
worked with Assistant to the Dean E. Alice Keys to have the model listed on the School
of Architecture Art Inventory.
2. What has been the total cost to date for the project?
The total cost to date is $27,196.73 which includes payment for conservation,
replacement glass for the case, the engineered crossbeam for the case, a custom-made
wooden box to store the original glass from the case, transportation of the old glass to
Millmont Storage, and replacement screws for the case.
3. What successes can you report coming out of the project?
Since my last report, the stabilization of the model’s environment through final repairs
to the case has been completed, as well as minor repairs and the repainting of the base
upon which the model sits. The model is also now listed on the School of Architecture
Art Inventory.
4. What problems if any have you faced as you rolled out the project?
Progress in the last year has been slow and difficult. While I am still the lead person on
this project, my graduation in 2011 and subsequent move to New England has made it
challenging to move forward on the final details on the project. This past spring, after
confirming the final touches to the model case and the repainting of the base, I made an
effort to begin the process of appraisal for insurance purposes. In speaking with several
administrators in the School of Architecture, I was directed to a new Assistant Dean with
whom I corresponded several times by email. The dean, however, was newly hired by
the School of Architecture and the Model was not a priority. On a visit to Charlottesville,
I stopped by his office to speak with him in person however his schedule was booked
with meetings. Communication with him fell off in the coming months, and
unfortunately progress halted.
In early spring I met with a member of the University Art Museum Staff to discuss local
appraisers, and have continued my own research of potential appraisers. I would like to
begin working with the Assistant Dean pending the Trust’s willingness to extend the
grant period.
5. What was the total number of people working on the project?
In the past year, I have been leading the work to finalize work on this project. I have
been in touch and worked with four members of the School of Architecture Staff, a
member of the Office of the Architect, and a member of the University Art Museum
Staff.
6. How many students were involved in the project?
I am the only student directly involved with this project. Two years ago I took lead of the
effort to seek funding from the Jefferson Trust, and the student leaders whom learned
of this project and provided their support have since graduated. The project itself,
however, impacted hundreds of students in the School of Architecture and greater
University community, who had the rare opportunity to watch conservation happen in
Campbell Hall and learn about the process directly from the conservator.
7. How many people did the project impact?
See response to question 8.
8. Do you feel that the project has had an impact on the University and/or the University
community?
Yes, this project has impacted countless people! By having the restoration/conservation
work done in Campbell Hall for all to see, this project has reached all who pass through
the main artery of the School of Architecture, the curious folks who have ventured to
Campbell hall to see the work, the classes that have taken trips to observe the process,
the passersby who ask questions about the model and the conservation work, and those
who have seen the publicity of the work being done (see internet links below). In
addition, the work on the model and case were completed in May which meant it was
on display for visitors and families during graduation exercises. The return of the model
will leave a lasting impact on both the University and the University community, as this
preservation of a historic artifact means future generations of students and staff will be
able to enjoy and learn from the 1926 Model of the Academical Village; it is a piece to
be admired as well as serve as an educational tool.
The Restoration/Conservation of the 1926 Academical Village Model
The Jefferson Trust – Project Report
Fall 2011
9. Is the project completed at this time? If not, when do you expect to see the project
completed?
As explained in Question #4, progress on this project did not continue in the past year as
I expected. I encountered several challenges being separated physically and enrollmentwise from the University, and the biggest hurdle remaining is securing an appraisal for
the Model. I understand that this project has continued for several years and the Trust’s
urgency to finish work. However, if the Trust is willing to allow me additional time, I am
prepared to move forward with this final step.
10. Are there plans for the project to continue once this funding cycle is complete? If so, what are
those plans?
Once funding for this project is complete, the project will be finished. Its impact,
however, will continue, as it will remain on display for all to observe, study, discuss,
learn from, and appreciate.
11. Any other comments that you would like to share concerning the project:
I sincerely apologize to the Jefferson Trust for the delay in completing this project. If the
Trust is willing to extend funding, I will make a greater and more concerted effort to
finalize the last step in this project.
A very big THANK YOU to the Board of Trustees of the Jefferson Trust for its support of
this project and incredible generosity. It has been my dream – and the dream of many in
the School of Architecture; students, faculty, and staff alike – for years to see this model
return to Campbell Hall and receive the attention and conservation it so desperately
deserved. Now, you have helped make this dream come true.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Cofrancesco
Restoration/Conservation of the Academical Village Model, Project Leader
The Restoration/Conservation of the 1926 Academical Village Model
The Jefferson Trust – Project Report
Fall 2011