Publications
American Society of Mechanical Engineering Student Design Challenge, The Causes, Perpetuation, and Mending of the Relationship Between the University of Virginia and Charlottesville
A study on Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville reveals that engineering projects, while designed to improve society, can inadvertently perpetuate social divisions. The research connects a technical project—a rover tasked with waste collection and sorting—to sociotechnical challenges between the university and the local community. Using Actor Network Theory, the study identifies physical, digital, and economic barriers that have strained this relationship since the university's founding. It also highlights the 2030 Plan as an ongoing effort to address these divisions. The technical project, constrained by the ASME competition, demonstrated the complexity of designing small-scale autonomous systems while emphasizing the need for responsible engineering choices that consider unintended social consequences.
The Jefferson Images at Monticello
A shifting portrayal of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello reflects evolving national memory, increasingly acknowledging his role as both the author of the Declaration of Independence and an enslaver. This study traces how visitors have encountered multiple 'Jefferson images' since the site opened to tourism in the early 19th century, with interpretations now more prominently addressing slavery and his relationship with Sally Hemmings. The research builds on historian Merrill Peterson's concept of a 'Jefferson image,' analyzing how historical narratives at Monticello have adapted over time to incorporate complex, often contradictory aspects of Jefferson's legacy.
Creating Monticello and Colonial Williamsburg
Monticello and Colonial Williamsburg emerged as iconic Revolutionary-era sites shaped by complex political, partisan, class, and ethnic dynamics in the 1920s. Monticello was established as a house museum, preserving Thomas Jefferson's legacy, while Colonial Williamsburg became one of the first living history museums, offering an immersive experience of colonial life. The study reveals how these sites reflected broader societal tensions, including debates over historical preservation and public interpretation. By analyzing archival records and historical narratives, the research highlights the interplay between memory, power, and heritage creation during a pivotal period in U.S. history.
Campus Hate Crimes During the Trump Era: The Rhetoric of Conflict During the 2017 Unite the Right Rally at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville
The 2017 Unite the Right Rally at the University of Virginia exposed higher education institutions to unprecedented clashes between white supremacists and counter-protesters, prompting a reevaluation of campus culture and historical ties to slavery. The study contrasts U.S. and European definitions of hate crimes and speech, highlighting how rising racial tensions manifested during the rally. It demonstrates that the university's transformational crisis communication led to significant institutional change, serving as a model for addressing extremism in academic settings.
Jocelyn Nicole Johnson
Jocelyn Nicole Johnson's critically acclaimed debut collection, 'My Monticello,' explores the intersection of home, identity, and racial injustice through a diverse set of narratives centered on Black and Brown characters in Charlottesville, Virginia. The work, which includes a novella and short stories, examines themes of belonging, longing, and dislocation, drawing inspiration from real-life incidents such as the 2015 altercation with Martese Johnson and the 2017 white nationalist rally. Johnson's approach blends personal reflection, social commentary, and pop culture references to illuminate the challenges faced by marginalized communities in the Appalachian South. The collection, awarded the 2021 Weatherford Award for Fiction, is being adapted into a Netflix film.
Musical Monticello: Classical Music and America
Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's plantation, serves as a pivotal case study in understanding the roots of classical music in America. Jefferson, renowned for his political achievements and musical prowess, played a significant role in shaping America's musical traditions through his own performances and those of his family. His two enslaved sons, taught violin by Jefferson himself, represent the diverse stylistic spectrum of 19th-century American music, from fiddle to violin. One son was even recognized as an 'accomplished caller of dances' in the 1850 census. This study highlights the intersections of class, race, gender, and national identity within the musical ecosystem of Monticello, offering a unique lens through which to examine America's colonial music history.
Educated in Tyranny: Slavery at Thomas Jefferson's University ed. by Maurie D. McInnis and Louis P. Nelson
A groundbreaking examination of the University of Virginia (UVA) reveals its deep historical ties to slavery, challenging the institution's long-standing narrative. The study, emerging from a digital history project, reconstructs lost landscapes—such as smokehouses and unmarked cemeteries—to illuminate the daily lives of enslaved individuals who labored on campus. It demonstrates that UVA was not merely an intellectual retreat but a 'plantation landscape,' where slavery was central to its operations and identity. This work underscores the urgent need for universities to confront their past, particularly in addressing racial injustice and reimagining institutional narratives.
The Founding of Thomas Jefferson's University ed. by John A. Ragosta, Peter S. Onuf, and Andrew J. O'Shaughnessy
Thomas Jefferson's vision for the University of Virginia, rooted in Enlightenment ideals and a desire to cultivate an educated citizenry, was both innovative and restrictive. The university, designed as an 'academical village' with faculty pavilions interspersed among student dormitories, aimed to foster moral and intellectual growth by minimizing peer influence. However, Jefferson's commitment to secularism and his preference for Whig-Republican ideology over Federalist teachings led him to exclude certain academic disciplines and religious instruction. The collection of essays, edited by Ragosta, Onuf, and O'Shaughnessy, explores these dualities through contributions from historians, librarians, and scholars, drawing on Jefferson's personal experiences and the broader educational landscape of his time.
The Founding of Thomas Jefferson’s University ed. by John A. Ragosta, Peter S. Onuf and Andrew J. O’Shaughnessy
A comprehensive examination of the founding and early history of Thomas Jefferson's University, now the University of Virginia, reveals its dual legacy: as a pioneering institution for higher education and a bastion of slavery and racial oppression. The study, published to coincide with the university's bicentennial in 2019, draws on extensive archival materials from Monticello and the university itself, including recently transcribed and digitized records. It uncovers the systemic role of enslaved and free Black individuals in sustaining the Academical Village, while also highlighting the pervasive violence and racial supremacy embedded within the institution's fabric. The research underscores how these historical patterns persist, as evidenced by the 2017 neo-Nazi rally on campus, and calls for further theoretical analysis to address systemic racism in U.S. institutions.
Charlottesville 2017: The Legacy of Race and Inequity
The Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, on August 12, 2017, highlighted deep-seated issues of white nationalism, racial violence, and Confederate iconography, with significant national implications. The event, led by alt-right figures Jason Kessler and Richard Spencer—both University of Virginia alumni—culminated from a two-year struggle over the removal of Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee monuments in Charlottesville's historic district. These monuments, erected in the 1920s after the execution of two Black men, were strategically placed near Black neighborhoods, serving as symbols of racial oppression. The rally resulted in injuries and fatalities, including the killing of Heather Heyer by an alt-right activist. Post-event, President Donald J. Trump's comments further fueled controversy by appearing to defend the alt-right movement. Scholars Louis P. Nelson and Claudrena N. Harold analyze these events in Charlottesville 2017, while Hawes Spencer examines them in Summer of Hate.
Jefferson on Display: Attire, Etiquette, and the Art of Presentation by G. S. Wilson
Thomas Jefferson strategically crafted his public image through attire and behavior, shifting between the persona of a humble farmer and that of a sophisticated urban elite depending on context. G. S. Wilson's study reveals Jefferson’s deliberate use of clothing—ranging from French court attire to homespun American garments—as a tool for political self-fashioning. Analyzing contemporary accounts, fashion choices, and portraits, Wilson demonstrates how Jefferson adapted his appearance to align with diplomatic expectations in France and later embraced an unpretentious, 'man of the people' image during his tenure as vice president and president. This approach offers a novel perspective on Jefferson’s public persona, distinct from traditional biographical studies.
Material Witnesses: Domestic Architecture and Plantation Landscapes in Early Virginia by Camille Wells
Camille Wells' 'Material Witnesses: Domestic Architecture and Plantation Landscapes in Early Virginia' challenges long-held assumptions about colonial-era architecture by analyzing material culture and primary sources. The study reveals that most Virginians lived in small, one- or two-room wooden homes before 1800, with only the top 10% of landholders affording sturdier, expensively finished houses. Wells demonstrates that large brick mansions, often perceived as representative of colonial Virginia, were exceptions, accounting for less than 2% of the population. Through a career-spanning analysis of hundreds of structures, she argues that studying extant landscapes out of context can be misleading but offers new insights when approached with fresh questions. The work also highlights the architectural experiences of marginalized Virginians, providing a more nuanced understanding of early American society.
Mr. Jefferson’s University (Chapter 7)
The University of Virginia, designed by Thomas Jefferson, embodies the Enlightenment's interconnectedness of knowledge through its meticulous architectural planning. This complex, one of Jefferson's most significant achievements, serves as a tangible representation of his intellectual vision, surpassing even Monticello in its expression of his philosophical ideals. The university's structure reflects both romantic and quixotic elements, offering a glimpse into the 18th century while remaining a dynamic educational space. Unlike Monticello, which evolved organically, Jefferson's university was meticulously planned down to the last detail, blending chance and design in a way that invites further study.
Thomas Jefferson’s Lives: Biographers and the Battle for History ed. by Robert M. S. McDonald
Thomas Jefferson’s Lives: Biographers and the Battle for History, edited by Robert M. S. McDonald, explores the evolving interpretations of Thomas Jefferson's character across nearly two centuries of biographical literature. The collection reveals that perceptions of Jefferson have shifted significantly with each generation, reflecting broader societal changes and historical contexts. A key insight is the enduring challenge in defining Jefferson, highlighted by Hermione Lee’s observation that no definitive biography exists due to the genre's instability. The book also examines how early biographers often suppressed aspects of Jefferson’s personal life, such as his relationship with Sally Hemings, while later works, particularly after DNA evidence confirmed his paternity of Hemings’ children in 1998, brought these elements into sharper focus. The essays analyze the influence of biographical interpretations on public memory and the mythologizing of Jefferson, underscoring how historical narratives are shaped by contemporary values and debates.
The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series, Volume 14: 1 February to 31 August 1819
A detailed examination of Thomas Jefferson's activities and correspondences between February and August 1819 reveals his multifaceted role as a founding member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors, where he facilitated institutional development, including securing builders and establishing a classical preparatory school. The analysis also highlights Jefferson's personal routines—such as a vegetarian diet, morning foot baths, and horseback riding—as well as his intellectual pursuits, including discussions on Greek pronunciation with peers like John Adams. Additionally, the volume documents challenging events, such as financial strain due to a friend's bankruptcy, property damage at Poplar Forest, and familial conflicts involving his grandson-in-law and grandson. This comprehensive collection of 637 documents provides insight into Jefferson's leadership, personal life, and the broader social and intellectual landscape of early 19th-century Virginia.
‘Those Who Labor for My Happiness’: Slavery at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is revealed as a complex site where the ideals of Enlightenment co-existed with the harsh reality of slavery. Lucia Stanton's 2012 study, 'Those Who Labor for My Happiness': Slavery at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, challenges the romanticized narratives of Jefferson's life by meticulously examining the lived experiences of enslaved individuals and their contributions to the estate. Through archival research, oral histories, and archaeological evidence, Stanton reconstructs the lives of over 600 enslaved people, highlighting their labor, resistance, and agency within the Monticello community. The study underscores the duality of Monticello as both a symbol of democratic ideals and a site deeply entrenched in the institution of slavery, offering a nuanced perspective on its historical significance.
Shaping the Body Politic: Art and Political Formation in Early America (review)
Shaping the Body Politic: Art and Political Formation in Early America reveals how early American visual and material culture played a pivotal role in defining national identity and political discourse. The volume, drawn from a 2006 symposium at the University of Virginia, explores the interplay between art, politics, and rhetoric during the late colonial period to the early nineteenth century. Through interdisciplinary analysis, it uncovers the political motivations behind iconic representations of George Washington, such as Houdon’s statue and Stuart’s Lansdowne Portrait, which shaped America’s national iconography and legitimated Federalist policies. Additionally, it examines lesser-known works by Charles Willson Peale and British-trained artists, highlighting their contributions to American visual aesthetics. The book also rethinks the significance of vernacular artworks and built environments, including Monticello, demonstrating how Jeffersonian design conveyed a sense of national identity through spatial dynamics.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville