The University of Virginia’s Leander McCormick Observatory was built to research the stars. But for School of Architecture students, it’s a star in its own right.
The historic observatory, built in 1885, is now used for education and outreach, including public nights when area residents can peer through the telescope at astronomical phenomena. The University operates a more modern research observatory on Fan Mountain.
Andrew Johnston advises students on selecting their projects in his Field Methods I course. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
But students in associate professor Andrew Johnston’s architectural Field Methods I course are examining the observatory as a historical artifact, appreciating the craftsmanship of 140 years ago.
Johnston, who co-teaches the class with UVA conservator Mark Kutney, brought in experts to deal with specific aspects of the observatory, including Sarita Herman, assistant director of project management, and Amy Moses, a senior project manager. Others joined in, including Rachel Lloyd, a senior landscape architect, and Brian Hogg, senior historic preservation planner, both with the Office of the Architect, along with Will Rourk from the UVA Scholars’ Lab, and Ricky Patterson, who worked at the observatory.
About 25 students recently arrayed themselves along the observatory’s curved wall as astronomy professor Ed Murphy explained the building’s history, the uniqueness of its telescope and how its dome rotates.
Graduate student Alice Baughman makes drawings of the intricate mechanisms of the Leander McCormick Observatory. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
“The goal of the class is to train students to think creatively about the questions they ask and the methods they use in research in architectural history,” Johnston said. “Rather than prescribing methods, we challenge students to ask questions and choose methods that allow them to answer those questions.”
From their observations, students select architectural elements to study more closely. Alice Baughman, in her second year of a master’s degree in architecture, is preparing a narrative history based on people who have used the observatory over the years and are most familiar with it.
Pryce Foyt, a fourth-year architecture student, is focusing on the wooden observer’s chair, built by a local carpenter. With an adjustable seat and the ability to roll along the observatory wall, the large chair gives the telescope operator a full range of angles.
Urban and environmental studies graduate student Genesis Rodgers is studying the area around Observatory Mountain.
Fourth-year architecture student Lorena Maier sketches in the Leander McCormick Observatory during a class session there. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
“I am asking questions about the heritage of astronomy and other cultural uses as they are embodied in the landscape across the Observatory precinct, which has naturally led me to explore the larger relationship between Mount Jefferson and Central Grounds overall,” Rodgers said. “I am so delighted to apply my interdisciplinary training in a way that is practical and useful for the University community and to contribute an unprecedented perspective about this part of Grounds.”
Kutney, a retired Facilities Management conservator with more than 30 years of experience, prefers work with tangible items rather than archival research.
“To me, the physical object is a document,” he said. “If you’re trained and you know materials, you can read it and build a database of materials, techniques, tool marks and colors, in wood, brick, metals, glass and textiles.”
While he co-teaches with Johnston, Kutney sees himself as a mentor.
“It’s up to the students,” he said. “If somebody latches on to a question they want to explore further, then I’m here to help them. My goal is not to spell out everything I know up front to these students, but for them to explore the questions they have, and I’m here as a resource.”
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