Monticello with Marigold

Our good friends, the Dorsetts were visiting last weekend.

 I had the opportunity to finally see Monticello.

Marigold was the only one of our kids who was interested in

going to tour the site rather than staying home to play.

The drive down is so beautiful-

Lots of open space in the rolling green hills of VA.

The visitors center is lovely-

Very rustic and shaded by mature trees.

We watched a film about Thomas Jefferson's life.

Then we toured the Museum, 

and got to see first hand many of the architectural projects,

inventions, and agricultural endeavors which he pursued in his lifetime.

I love this print of the Declaration of Independence

Here is what Monticello looked like from the original plans-

before he tore it down and started over.

It took over 40 years to complete!

We took a shuttle from the Visitor's Center up to the house and property.

The views from the top were amazing!

Even the vegetable garden was beautiful.

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It was difficult to get a picture of the whole outside of the house-

especially because of the time of day and position of the sun.

While we waited for our house tour, 

we looked at properties on Mulberry Row,

where Jefferson's slaves once lived.

There were artifacts found showing that even slave's dishes 

and belongings at Monticello were very ornate.

Much nicer than what most slaves of the time would have owned.

Many slaves learned trades from hired workers.

This gave them unique opportunities to produce and sell

on Mulberry Row, as well as better themselves

 to secure more desirable work positions.

Unfortunately, no photography whatsoever was allowed inside the house,

but the tour is well worth the time.  

His many collections of artifacts, books, maps, and artwork 

lined the shelves and hung on the high walls.

Attention to detail was evident in the intricate moldings and room shapes.

His use of French design elements made the interior 

very comfortable, even glamorous for the time period.

His love of invention was evident in the self closing doors,

wine dumbwaiters, and swiveling food buffet.

Lastly, we toured under the house, seeing the privy, 

carriage stalls, food & wine cellars, and the kitchen.

Jefferson was a truly remarkable human being.

I was so glad to share this experience with 

the Dorsett ladies, Mason and baby Clayton, 

but I was most happy to explore with Marigold.

It was fun to see her enjoying the tours, learning, 

and recording her perspective by taking her own photographs.

I'm so proud of the beautiful, 

smart, observant, tall young woman she's grown into.