In the course of repairing and restoring the University of Virginia's Rotunda, workers found an interesting chemical laboratory that was designed by Thomas Jefferson dating back to the 19th century.

According to Popular Science, the classroom behind the wall must have been constructed for the pioneer natural history professor of the university, John Hemmet. Although he was not reportedly the top of Jefferson's choice, he proved himself worthy and ended up teaching, aside from chemistry, other fields of science, like zoology, mineralogy and geology.  Furthermore, he created the university's botanic garden as per Jefferson's desire. He began teaching in April 1825.

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UVA Today reports the laboratory was hidden behind the walls in oneof the rotunda's floors. it was therefore protected against the 1985 fire that caused the destruction of most parts of the building. The earliest laboratory in the country found in the north end part of the Lower East Oval Room consists of five stone-made countertop workstations with two heat sources, one using wood fire and the other with coal fire. Air to ventilate comes in through a brick-made channel, whereas ducts are utilized as channels for smoke and fumes to exit. They believe that students of Hemmet must have utilized the classroom during his time.

A historic preservation planner of the university Brian Hogg believes that "this may be the oldest intact example of early chemical education in this country."

As this discovery is a symbol of the school's young years, the University Architect's office architectural curator said that "the original arch above the opening will have to be reconstructed, but we hope to present the remainder of the hearth as essentially unrestored, preserving its evidence of use."

In the opening of the Rotunda next year, only a barrier will refrain visitors from getting into the niche; however, the hearth will still be visible.

TagsThomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson's Chemical Laboratory, University of Virginia, University of Virginia Rotunda, Jefferson's Chemical Laboratory Found