visit to Monticello

Today we stayed over in Waynesboro.  The highlight was a visit to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826).  Jefferson worked on developing the property from the late 1760's until well after he retired from the presidency in 1809.  It was more than a home, it was the center of a working plantation which once included more than 3,000 acres.  The displays show the wide range of Jefferson's interest including agriculture, architecture, literature, politics, linguistics, etc. 

When we visited today, they were displaying Jefferson's diary entry for December 18, 1795.  He noted that the day was cloudy and the high temperature was 37F.  Today, December 18, 2010, it was cloudy and the high temperature was 34F.  Wow, this global warming is fearsome.

The Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, VA

Monticello - a lifetime love of Thomas Jefferson

No photos are allowed during the interior tour but I took some at the nearby education center which I hope capture some of the detail.

An early form of "great room", Jefferson entertained guests here such as George Washington and James Madison.

Jefferson's bedroom - to save floor space the bed was
built into an alcove in the wall, with storage space
above (ventilated by the three holes above)
There was also a skylight - the first in North America

Jefferson's "book room" - he once had the U.S.A.'s largest library
over 6,000 books - many of which were donated to start The Library of Congress.

Franklin & Dorothy at Monticello - December 18, 2010

Franklin says Good-bye to his new bud - Tom

Jefferson's influence is also prevalent at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA
Jefferson designed the buildings, wrote the curriculum, and hired most of the first faculty.
He considered his founding of the U of VA more important than his presidency.

Another example of Jefferson's architectural design at the University of Virginia

 My overall impression of the house tour and the displays at the education center was that Jefferson would be pleased.  The emphasis was on his family life, his interests, and his ideas.  His political role, including his presidency was very understated, as Jefferson himself indicated when, in listing his three major accomplishments he did not mention his presidency.
For more information about Monticello, you can visit http://www.monticello.org