Sept 5-6th, Monticello & Montpelier

September 5-6

Wednesday we did chores and planned for our Thursday tour.  Rick and Betsy went with us to tour
Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's plantation and Montpelier, James Madison's home.  The weather turned cool and we encountered some heavy rain on the way.


 

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), theorist of the American Revolution, drafted the Declaration of Independence.  The ideals of the Declaration, that "all men are created equal" and have a right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" established the foundation of self-government and individual freedom in America.  Jefferson's words of 1776 still inspire people around the world today.  Jefferson was our third president from 1801-1809. Notable achievements of efferson's presidency include the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

 

 

Jefferson designed every aspect of Monticello constructing and modifying its buildings
and landscape over a period of 40 years.  Look on the back of an old nickle to see
Monticello!

 

 

We toured the vegetable gardens at Mulberry Row at Monticello.  The plaques brought to life

the stories of the scores of people-enslaved and free- who lived and worked on

Jefferson's 5,000 acre plantation.

 

Monticello Dome Room. 

 

 

One of the narrow stairways in the home.  Jefferson thought the

grand stairway was a waste of space! 

 

 

Thomas Jefferson is buried at Monticello with other members of his family.  Despite Jefferson's

astounding range of accomplishments, the epitaph he wrote for his tombstone included only:

"Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and Father of the

University of Virginia."  He died July 4, 1826, 50 year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

 

 

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Montpelier was the lifelong home of James Madison, America's 4th

President.  James Madison's leadership brought about the creation of the U S Constitution, and his innovative ideas made it a success.  Through The Federalist he helped inspire American citizens to support and ratify the Constitution.  As a leader in the first Congress, he helped shape the new government, introduce the Bill of Rights, and ensured it passage.  As president,

he guided the new nation through its first war of 1812, demonstrating that Constitutional government could survive a

national crisis.

 

 

 

 

On the terrace of Montpelier overlooking the beautiful countryside.  James Madison died here surrounded by

the books and papers that meant so much to him as well as his beloved Dolley, who defined the role

of "First Lady".