One of Leslie’s favorite destinations outside DC is the former home of President Jefferson called Monticello in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He started construction of the house in on 5000 acres of land he inherited from his father. Jefferson designed the first version of the house based on architecture that he learned from a book (written in Italian) by a famous Italian Architect. He paid a local contractor to flattened the top of a mountain and construction began on the masonry portion of the house in 1770. In 1774, he inherited another 11,000 acres. Construction was slowed in 1775 when Jefferson was elected to the Continental Congress. He was made Governor of Virginia 1779 to 1781. The first version of the house was substantially completed in 1782. In 1783 he was elected to congress and made US Commissioner to France from 1784 to 1789. Returning in 1790 he was made the first US Secretary of State until 1793 and lived in New York. Returning to a derelict house in 1793, he redesigned the house based on designs he had observed in France. Construction was started again based on his new design. After being elected Vice President from 1797-1801, and President from 1801 to 1809, construction continued while he sent design directions and changes via many letters. Much of the construction was accomplished by slaves that he had trained by local craftsmen. Jefferson traveled back to the house in August and December/January from Washington. By the time he completed his second term in 1809 the house was complete. He died in the house on July 4th 1826. We were able to tour the lower floor of the house which included his study, library, bedroom, dining room, tea room and the parlor. After selling his extensive library in 1819 to Congress (because the British had burned Washington during the War of 1812), he accumulated a new library of over 1,900 books before his death. We found the house more ornate than Mount Vernon due to the influence of his time in France and his self education of arhitecture. After touring Monticello, we went over to the Jefferson Vineyard and did a wine tasting before heading back to the Wanderer.
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| Entrance Sign |
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| View from the front porch of Monticello |
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| Monticello |
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| Indian Artifacts in the entrance hall |
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| Jeffersons Study |
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| Jeffersons reading room |
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| Jeffersons Bed |
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| The Parlor |
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| The dining room |
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| The kitchen |
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| Entrance Sign |
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| The wine |
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