Monticello 2010

Monticello - Home of the Author of the Declaration of Independence, served in the Virginia House of Delegates, Governor of Virginia, member of  US Congress, American Diplomat to France, 1st US Secretary of State, Vice-President under John Adams, 3rd President of the United States for 2 terms, and Commissioner of the Lewis & Clark Expedition - Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson was truly an amazing man - absolutely brilliant.  Visiting his home in Charlottesville, VA makes one appreciate who he was and realize what an innovator he was - in government, his attention to architectural detail, efficiency of invention, and the commanding presence he had throughout his lifetime helping to shape our country as it evolved.  He was the theorist of the American Revolution and established the foundations of self-government and individual freedom in America through the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. 


It is interesting to note that the photos that everyone is familiar with of Monticello, are actually of the back of the house.  The domed extension is a 3rd floor room.

Here is a photo of the front of the home.  Notice the windows above the first floor windows, that appear to be an extension of the main floor windows, giving it the appearance that these rooms are tall rooms.  Those are actually low windows on the 2nd floor of the home.  He incorporated this style to help the house blend with the landscape and give the appearance of a more modest structure, when in fact, it is a 3 story house with 21 rooms.  It has a total of 9 bedrooms and 3 privvies. 

There are 2 bedrooms on the main floor where guests would stay, and one was dedicated almost exclusively to his friend John Adams.  These 2 bedrooms are located to the right of the front portico, pictured above.   There is a small sitting room to the left of the Hall, where Martha Jefferson Randolph, his only surviving daughter, would receive salesmen and instruct the enslaved staff on matters of running the home.  Martha moved in to her father's house with her family upon the death of her mother, as a lady was needed to tend to the matters of running the plantation.  The Demmings family of enslaved people were the most trusted and one of the few families of slaves who were freed in Thomas Jefferson's will.

Monticello (which means "little mountain" in Italian) is a plantation of  5,000 acres.  In Jefferson's day, it included a diverse community of as many as 140 enslaved men, women, and children.  It took him more than 40 years to build it, as he continued to change the design over the years of construction.  He and his wife Martha lived in a small outbuilding that included one bedroom and a kitchen below, during the construction when they were able to visit Monticello during his service to our country.


There were only 4 public rooms in the house - the Hall where guests were received, the Parlor where he met with dignitaries and friends to conduct business, as well as gather with his friends and family, the Dining Room and Tea Room.  His bedroom chamber, book room, green house, and cabinet are his personal private space located on the south end of the house. (the house faces east)   His collection of nearly 7,000 books was the foundation for the Library of Congress.

The Greenhouse room, with open air rooms on either side.

Open air rooms on either side of the green house.

 
There is a remarkable collection of items in Jefferson's home.  In the Hall, he has a collection of Indian artifacts from the Lewis and Clark Expedition - animal skins, tools, weapons.  Also in the Hall is a 7 day clock that he invented.  There are heavy balls that go through the floor that correspond with the days of the week written on the wall.  To this day, the clock keeps proper time.  In the Parlor, and scattered throughout the house are over 48 portraits of people he considered to be important minds that he admired.  He also has several busts of significant people of his time and earlier. 


Unfortunately for us, photography was not allowed in the house, but we were able to photograph the Dependencies, located below the house.  This is where the enslaved people lived and took care of the work of the house.  Jefferson entertained frequently, which meant there were guests at Monticello often.  It is said they might consume up to 30 pounds of meat each day.  Jefferson believed in self sustaining, so his plantation was well-equipped to feed all of his family, guests, and enslaved people.  Here are some photos of the Dependencies below the home.

Kitchen

Jefferson's version of a stove-top.  Wood was burned below to heat the pots.

  Wine, cider, and beer storage.  Jefferson liked to have his wine shipped in bottles as it was easier to prevent ships crewmen from siphoning it from barrels.  Beer was made locally and stored in barrels.  Apples were pressed here as well to make cider. 

 Wine was considered very precious as it was expensive.  The wine glasses in the dining room held only 3 ounces.  Jefferson believed that consuming red wine in small quantities was good for digestion.  It always followed the meal, instead of having it with the meal.

 Cider was stored in barrels.  The tap on the right was one used to tap the barrels of beer and cider.

Cook's quarters

The Smoke House.  On the left is the fireplace where the fire was stoked.  On the back of the chimney, pictured on the right, is a hole where the smoke escaped to fill the room with smoke to smoke the meat.  This room has a dirt floor.





The grounds of Monticello are stunning.  The fall leaves and their spectacular colors were a feast for the eyes.  We enjoyed walking around the grounds and taking photographs.  Amongst these photos, are some of his extensive vegetable garden.  He planted over 250 varieties of vegetables.  He also has an orchard.  The vegetable gardens are continually kept today, and the employees of the plantation enjoy the harvest.

 These 2 photos are taken at the front of the house, looking out over Charlottesville, VA.

 This tree had the sun shining through it at just the perfect angle to make it glow.  Absolutely beautiful!

 Here is the vegetable garden.  Over 250 varieties of vegetables.

 Kelsey is on the walking path down the center of it.  To her left is the herb garden.  The photo on the right shows the long view of the garden.  I'm dreaming.........

 This is some kind of giant bean.  I had Davis stand next to it so you could see just how big it was!  On the right is muscadines.

 On the left is a vineyard, growing grapes of some variety.  On the right is an orchard - not sure what kind of fruit as we didn't get close enough.





A couple of other fun photos we took.  An interesting side perspective of the architecture of the house - Richard wanted this one.  Davis climbed into the stump of this old Tulip Poplar next to the house.  This was a very large tree!

The sun is going down and lanterns are placed along the steps to the house.  Remember there is no electricity and they light the paths with real candles in hurricane globes or gas powered lanterns, preserving the feel of the plantation.

Sunset at Monticello.  

The sun is setting behind the mountain, leaving only the dome bathed in sunlight.

As we walk down the mountain to the visitor center, we pass by the Jefferson Family Cemetery, where Thomas Jefferson and his family and descendants are buried.

The sun sets behind the hillside looking from the back of the house.

Walking path down to the cemetery.

 Above, the gated entrance with the initials TJ in gold.  Left, view of Jefferson's grave from the gate.  Right, inscription on the obelisk over 5 graves.  Thomas Jefferson, his wife Martha, 2 daughters, and one son-in-law.  This obelisk is not the original designed by Jefferson, but a larger one that was placed by the United States in 1883.

Upon our return to the Visitor's Center, there is a life-sized bronze sculpture of Jefferson. 

Sadly, our trip has come to an end.  It has been a wonderful week, full of fun family time, visiting with extended family and friends, and enjoying such a rich part of our country's history.  I wish we could do this all the time.  What an education and opportunity!

The drive home was on a different route.  We hopped over to I-81 and traveled south through Roanoke, where we spent the night.  The next day, we continued to enjoy the scenery provided by nature as we traveled through southern Virginia, Tennessee, and north Alabama.  It was a long trek, but we survived it and had fun along the way.  I hope you all enjoyed our trip vicariously.  I recommend that you do it yourself.  You will love it.