Monday, October 16, 2023

Charlottesville, Part 2

 Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, is just a few miles from Charlottesville. You can see the buildings 
of the University of Virginia from the terrace. Jefferson was the founder of the university.
He designed Monticello as well as the university buildings, and he watched the construction of the university with his spyglass.

Our vivacious guide to the interior of the house. She did a good job of describing Jefferson’s
life and its contradictions. His statesmanship, his idea of freedom and human rights in
the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia law on religious freedom all contrast painfully
to his possession of over 600 enslaved people and his treatment of them.

Jefferson had eleven grandchildren who lived at Monticello along with his daughter, their mother.
These children played in the house — in contrast to his own enslaved children by Sally Hemings.

Jefferson’s possessions are on display, such as these boots.


As an ambassador to France, Jefferson learned to love French food and wine.


Many books are on display as Jefferson owned a large library.
He gave most of his own books to the founding of the Library of Congress.

On display in his entrance hall: artifacts from Indian tribes collected by Lewis and Clark.
As President, Jefferson arranged the Louisiana Purchase and the expedition to explore the newly purchased territories. (Artifacts are not original)




The image of Monticello is familiar to most Americans because it is reproduced on the nickel.

Photos © 2023 mae sander

20 comments:

Iris Flavia said...

What a strange man.
But a beautiful house.

Boud said...

Great pictures. One of my favorite Monticello items is the eight day clock which ended up needing a hole cut in the floor to let the weight drop all the way down. A bit improv.

eileeninmd said...

What a great tour, your photos are beautiful too.
Take care, have a great week!

Emma at Words And Peace / France Book Tours said...

Great pictures. I visited it a few years ago, and was impressed by all his inventions in the house, and the amazing gardens as well

anno said...

That library -- I am so envious! Looks like an interesting tour, time well-spent.

Jeanie said...

I've never been to that part of the country except to Williamsburg. I'd love to see Monticello.

Kate Yetter said...

Such a beautiful place. I have always wanted to visit.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

My name is Erika. said...

I've visited Monticello twice, but it's still been a very long time since those visits. Funny I do remember the Native American artifacts. And I remember he brought ice cream back from France. Thanks for taking me back with this post Mae, and have a happy T day. hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I was sure I left a comment earlier, but it must have been my imagination.

When I was in school, I thought Jefferson was a great statesman. then I learned he had over 600 slaves. For a man who believed in freedom and justice, he certainly didn't practice what he preached. And of course, my school books glossed over or totally ignored the slavery part.

I like how you shared the various drink areas. Wine, tea, and those blue plates in the one room. Just amazing. Thanks for sharing your trip to Monticello with us for T this almost Tuesday, Mae.

Amila said...

The blend of history and the charming atmosphere creates a compelling narrative. Thanks for sharing your adventures in this place! Happy T-day!

DVArtist said...

Oh so beautiful, even the yellow room. LOL Thank you for sharing this.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I would love to have a conversation with Jefferson now and discuss his inconsistencies with him.

thecuecard said...

Would love to visit Monticello. So interesting all the possessions and to see his boots. His life had many contradictions.

nwilliams6 said...

The contradictions of his life really are stark when viewed with today's lenses. I wonder how many people thought they were contradictions back then. It would be an interesting study.

The house is lovely and thank you for sharing the pictures.

Happy t-day and hugz.

Valerie-Jael said...

Fabulous place, and I love his boots! Valerie

Carola Bartz said...

It's interesting to visit a place like Monticello and look at it and its resident from today's perpsective.
Re your comment on my blog - many tasting rooms have completely changed and you don't really find those big and busy ones very often anymore. Now it's an "experience" with sometimes exorbitant fees and since COVID you almost never get a tasting without a reservation. We tend to visit wineries off the beaten path which is much more enjoyable.

Divers and Sundry said...

What a fascinating tour! His ownership/treatment of the enslaved peoples he owned is a horrible example of how blind people can be to their own faults. If only he'd been willing to see than as _people_ instead of as property...

Happy T Tuesday

Empire of the Cat said...

Seemed like an enlightened individual except for the 600 slaves, how odd. His boots seem to have lasted well. Happy T Day! Elle xx

Cloudia said...

People like to condemn the people of the past for not having your values we hold today. I look at it a different way. That was the world they lived in and the way they understood it. I'm very proud of how far determined people have taken us from those ways and days! Aloha friend, very nice post

pearshapedcrafting said...

An interesting visit- I didn't know anything about Jefferson. Belated Happy T Day, Chrisx