Jefferson’s Dovecote

Thomas Jefferson’s personal papers include dozens of unbuilt architectural plans, ranging from his domed proposal for the President’s house in Washington, D.C. to a neoclassical lookout tower for Monticello. One of the most elegant and captivating is his drawing for a dovecote — a functional architectural folly designed to house a flock doves.

Alexander Nicholson had the pleasure of bringing Jefferson’s dovecote to fruition at Rose Hill Estate in Caroline County, Virginia, with the help of landscape architect William Reiley and millworkers at Gaston & Wyatt. After a full restoration of the historic house was completed, the owner wanted to turn his attention to his gardens and grounds. The dovecote is the crown jewel of the landscape.

Jefferson’s dovecote has been featured in Garden & Gun Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Private Newport, and Curbed.