Monticello

Our first stop in Charlottesville was the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819.

Another view of the rotunda

We were a bit pressed for time and so did not spend as much time exploring the grounds as I would have liked, but Thomas Jefferson and his beloved Monticello were beckoning:

Take my word for it - it is he. The light was against Nick.

Above the front of the house. Unfortunately, one is not permitted to take pictures inside the house, therefore, if you are interested in seeing the rooms, take a virtual tour of the house: Virtual Tour we enjoyed the tour and the information about Jefferson very much. I expect Nick took mental notes to replicate som of the clever gadgets Jefferson designed for his house!

Monticello, in Jefferson's times was a 5,000 acre plantation- the map below gives an idea of the area.

Jefferson built the house atop a hill and as a result one has a commanding view of the surrounding countryside, as can be seen on the picture of the slave garden below

In addition to taking the tour of the house, we also went on a tour of the grounds which included a very well done explanation of life in Jefferson's times including, of course, the fact that Jefferson espoused liberty, but as regarded his slaves he preferred liberty as a theory, not be translated into reality in his lifetime since, presumably, he would have to give up his obsession with Monticello.

A picture of the partial foundation of a slave cabin on Mulberry Row. In the back a reconstruction of the palisade fence needed to protect the vegetable gardens from deer (and we saw one of those too!) Below a drawing of what Mulberry Row may have looked like. The foundation is in the process of recreating some of the buildings.

The Cemetary

Being for once quite thorough, we also visited the family cemetery, where in addition to Jefferson (see above) are buried the descendants of his daughters by Martha Jefferson.

No Hemmings are buried (or will be if the current crop of legitimate Jefferson descendants have anything to say about it)

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