Left from the main entrance are the original tombstones from the graves of
Thomas Jefferson and of David Barton, Missouri s first United States Senator.
The former monument, carved from Jefferson's own design, and first erected at
his grave in Monticello, Virginia, was presented to the university by Jefferson's heirs in 1883, and commemorates his interest in Missouri, the first State made
from the Louisiana Territory. The marble tablet bearing the original inscription
was damaged in the 1892 fire, and is now kept in a vault.. ~ from Missouri:
A Guide to the "Show Me" State, 1941, Columbia section pg. 212
Text of plaque:
This Original Marker.
Placed at the grave of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, Virginia, in 1826,
constructed from his won design, was presented July 4, 1883, by the Jefferson
heirs to the University of Missouri, first state university to be founded in the
Louisiana Territory purchased from France during President Jefferson's
administration.
The obelisk, dedicated on this campus at commencement, Jun 4 1885,
commemorates Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States, whose faith
in the future of western America and whose confidence in the people has shaped
our national ideals; commemorates the author of the Declaration of
Independence and of the Virginia statue for religious freedom, founder of the
University of Virginia, fosterer of public education in the United States
(The Original Epitaph)
Here Was Buried
Thomas Jefferson
Author
Of the Declaration of
American Independence
of
The Statute of Virginia
For Religious Freedom and
Father of the University
Of Virginia
Born April 2nd
1745 O.S.
Died July 4, 1826
From
Smithsonian website:
"Originally marked the grave of President Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) at his
estate, Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia. It was designed by Jefferson,
a rough sketch of which was discovered by his descendants shortly after his
death. It was fabricated by John M. Perry and James Dinsmore, who had earlier
helped Jefferson as carpenters and builders of Monticello, and placed over his
grave with a white marble slab around the base. At the time of his death,
Jefferson's estate was in debt, and sources disagree as to whether the
gravestone was erected in 1826, or not until 1833. Jefferson's instructions were
followed exactly, including adding "O.S." to his birthdate inscription,
referring to the "old style" calendar in use at the time of his birth. Jefferson
directed that the stone be "the coarse stone of which my columns are made" to
deter vandalism; but, because of the coarseness, it was not possible to cut the
epitaph on the face. Instead, a carved marble plaque (now removed) was set into
the facing. Incised inscription on side of gravestone, below where plaque was
originally placed, are the last words of the original epitaph. Monticello was
sold outside the Jefferson family beginning in 1831, with "free access" given to
the graveyard for the Jefferson family. Monticello eventually fell into squalid
conditions, and the gravestone was vandalized. Some sources of the period
suggest that the "original" gravestone may have been destroyed and replaced. In
1878, Congress passed a resolution to repair the graveyard and replace the
gravestone. The Jefferson heirs gave the gravestone to the University of
Missouri, which was the first state university in the Louisiana Purchase, which
Jefferson had been instrumental in acquiring. It was relocated to the University
in 1883, presented by the Jefferson heirs on the anniversary of Jefferson's
death, on July 4, 1883. It was dedicated the last day of Commencement, either
June 4 or July 4, 1885, sited to the right of the entrance of Academic Hall.
The gravestone was moved frequently on campus. In 1931, Jefferson's birthday
was declared a State holiday, and on April 13, 1932, the gravestone was
rededicated with a new marker. University of Missouri President and
Representative Joseph B. Shannon of Kansas City were influential in obtaining
funds for the marker. In 1976, the gravestone was moved to its current site,
given a new concrete base and rededicated on April 3rd (the day after
Jefferson's birthday), aided by a gift from the Class of 1926. The Quadrangle
was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The original
marble plaque on the gravestone was removed for safekeeping to Academic Hall
when the gravestone was initially relocated to the University. The building was
destroyed by fire on January 9, 1892, and the plaque was cracked and burned,
broken in three pieces. The restored plaque in now kept in a vault in Jesse
Hall, and is displayed annually for Jefferson's birthday."
The gravestone is located in Jefferson Garden on the east side of Francis
Quadrangle in front of the Residence on the Quadrangle. Also located in the
garden is a statue of Thomas Jefferson by George Lundeen. The gravestone
for David Barton remains closer to Jesse Hall.