More than 200 years after a historic bust of Thomas Jefferson disappeared from Monticello, an ACBA student took on the remarkable challenge of bringing a lost piece of American history back to life. Albert Garone, an architectural stone student, committed to recreating the sculpture after representatives from Monticello visited the college and were impressed by the quality of student craftsmanship. Unlike a typical restoration project, this commission presented a unique challenge: no photographs of the original bust exist. Instead, Garone relied on a limited collection of historical sketches and research into the work of Giuseppe Ceracchi, the sculptor responsible for the original piece. The process began with careful historical interpretation and the creation of a clay model, allowing the design to be reviewed before moving into the process of carving the final sculpture in marble. Every detail required a balance of artistic judgment, historical understanding, and technical precision, demonstrating the depth of training ACBA students receive. This project was particularly meaningful, being America’s 250th anniversary year, when communities across the country are reflecting on the people, places, and objects that have shaped the nation’s history. Through this commission, Garone contributed to the preservation of an important historical legacy while demonstrating how traditional stone carving remains relevant today. His work serves as a reminder that historic preservation is not simply about protecting what remains, but also about recovering what has been lost and ensuring that future generations can experience connections to the past.
