Jefferson's original architectural design is centered around the Lawn, a grand, terraced green-space surrounded by residential and academic buildings. The principle building of the design, the Rotunda, is at the north end of the Lawn, and stands as one of the founder's greatest architectural achievements. It is half the height of the Pantheon in Rome, which was its primary inspiration. The Lawn and the Rotunda were the model for many "green areas" at universities across the country (including the East Campus of Duke University and Killian Court at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Frank E. Grizzard, Jr., a scholar at the University of Virginia, has written the definitive book on the original buildings, or Academical Village (http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/grizzard ), at the University of Virginia.

Flanking both sides of the Rotunda and extending down the length of the lawn are 10 "pavilions" interspersed with student rooms. Each has its own classical architectural style, as well as its own walled garden separated by uniquely Jeffersonian "serpentine walls." Today the Grounds of the University of Virginia, along with Jefferson's Monticello estate, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This honor is bestowed on only three other man-made sites in the US, the others being the Statue of Liberty, Independence Hall, and Pueblo de Taos.

On October 27, 1895, the Rotunda burned to the ground with the unfortunate help of overzealous faculty member William "Reddy" Echols, who attempted to save it by throwing roughly 100 pounds of dynamite into the main fire in the hopes that the blast would separate the burning Annex from the main building. His last-ditch effort ultimately failed. (Perhaps ironically, one of the University's main honors student programs is named for him.) University officials swiftly approached celebrity architect Stanford White to rebuild the Rotunda. White took the charge further, redesigning the Rotunda interior (making it two floors instead of three), adding three buildings to the foot of the Lawn, and designing a President's House. He did omit rebuilding the Rotunda Annex, which had been built in 1853 to house classroom space (now moved to the South Lawn in White's new buildings).

In 1940, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt came to the University's Memorial Gymnasium and made his "Stab in the Back" speech denouncing Italy's declararion of war on France. Two decades later, John F. Kennedy visited and spoke in the same space with brothers Robert and Ted at his side.

In concert with the bicentennial of the United States in 1976, the Rotunda was returned to Jefferson's original design. Renovated according to its original plans, a three-story Rotunda opened on Jefferson's birthday, April 13, 1976. To commemorate the anniversary of America's independence, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II strolled The Lawn and lunched in the Dome Room of the Rotunda, one of five American sites she publicly visited.

The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu graced The Lawn with their presence in 1998 to attend the University's Nobel Laureates Conference. During his visit at UVa, the Dalai Lama emphasized his desire for autonomy for Tibet and his willingness to cede foreign policy and defense strategy to the main Chinese government.

In 2001, John Kluge donated 7,378 acres (30 km²) of additional lands to the University. Much of this gift was sold by the University with Kluge's permission to musician Dave Matthews.

In the near future, the Lawn will change considerably. The McIntire School of Commerce will move to a new building adjoining Rouss Hall and the College's Economics department. At this time, Monroe Hall (current home of the McIntire School) will become part of the College. New Cabell Hall will be torn down, and in its place will be a technology-equipped classroom space that will straddle both sides of Jefferson Park Avenue. The Lawn will then extend to the space above where today is a faculty parking lot across the street.