#14 Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

I came up with the idea of visiting Monticello after finally visiting the Jefferson Memorial in DC in 2018. Thomas Jefferson is one of my favorite U.S. Presidents because he was so intellectual with interests in languages, philosophy, natural history, science, etc. He penned the Declaration of Independence and served as Minister to France (and had French-trained chefs in his homes thereafter), the first Secretary of State, the second Vice President, and the third President. Under his presidency, the United States doubled in size with the Louisiana Purchase, and he sent Lewis and Clark out west to explore it - and collected the fossils and Native American articles that they sent back! In "retirement," he then founded the University of Virginia and sold his book collection to the Library of Congress so that lawmakers would have access to their information.

My friend Alyssa and I made a day trip excursion, driving on clear roads framed with a winter wonderland of snow covered trees. We arrived to a foggy Monticello, which added to its charms, though we were freezing!

Admission to Monticello includes a tour of the house and tours on slavery and the gardens. We went through the house first, then explored the pavilions and cellar (kitchens and storerooms) and jumped on the slavery tour along Mulberry Road. After a few photos on the West Lawn, we headed back to the visitor center for its film, museum, and gift shop. We covered everything in about three hours.

Note that you cannot take photos inside the house, so the exterior shots below are mine and the interiors are from Google!

My favorite parts of the Monticello tour included:

The clock in the entryway with cannonball weights that lowered throughout the week to indicate the day of the week.

See clock in the center and the days of the week on the black signs on the right hand wall - it looks like this was taken on a Thursday!

There wasn't enough wallspace, so Saturday is underground in the cellar!

The "polygraph" machine in his office that made a copy of each of his letters. Learn more about it here.

His alcove bed that opened into both his bedchamber and his study for quick access. He died in this bed on July 4, 1826, the 50 year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The bright "Monticello yellow" color of the dining room - it reminded me of the (softer) yellow downstairs of my parent's house!

Also in the dining room, the secret wine elevators on each side of the fireplace!

The wine elevator panels on each side of the dining room fireplace.

View from the wine cellar underneath the dining room.

And the grande finale: the view from the West Lawn that matches the back of a nickel!

We left Monticello and headed in the direction of Horton Vineyards for a $6 tasting of 10 wines. On the way, we drove right past James Madison's house Montpelier, and did a quick drive by of that as well. We also had a lovely dinner in Orange, Virginia at The Light Well if you're in this neck of the woods.

James Madison's Montpelier

Item 42 Completed 3/9/19
10/42 items complete = 23%