Thomas Jefferson
3rd President
2 terms
1743-1826
Democratic-Republican
Used his writing talents to help write the Declaration of Independence
Helped to write the Bill of Rights
Made the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States
Birthplace: Shadwell, VA
Thomas Jefferson was born April 13th, 1743 at this plantation. The original building burned down in 1770, but a historical marker is located there.
The Story
On April 4, 2024, my last day in Virginia, I spent a vast majority of the day in Jefferson's country. In the afternoon, after visiting Monticello, I found the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson. One thing I learned on this vacation was how difficult it can be to find these roadside markers. While there is a stone marker located on the site, it was completely overgrown with vegetation.
Me standing at Jefferson’s birthplace.
My dad at Jefferson’s birthplace marker.
The monument to Jefferson at his birthplace site, erected 1925. It is now completely engulfed in vegetation.
Photo courtesy Wikipedia.
Boyhood Home: Richmond, VA
Thomas Jefferson lived here from 1745-1752. It is named "Tuckahoe Plantation".
Boyhood Home: Albemarle County, VA
After Jefferson's birthplace burned, his family moved to this home, called "Edge Hill".
Home: Charlottesville, VA
Jefferson lived here for most of his life, and after he retired, he moved back. It is named "Monticello". In 1826, after his death, he was buried here.
The Story
On the last day of my trip, April 4, 2024, I finally went to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. This was one trip that I meticulously planned out, as there is one very important thing to know about Monticello.
Because of Jefferson's design for the house, the staircases are very long and very narrow, which forces the Thomas Jefferson Foundation to restrict the number of people who are allowed upstairs. Knowing this, I insisted that we pay the fee for the "behind the scenes" tour, which was $99 per person, and I will say that it was worth every penny! To start with, the house is an architectural marvel. I was blown away by not only the views inside the home, but the in-depth nature of the tour. This was one of the two places I was most looking forward, (the other being George Washington's Mount Vernon), and it did not disappoint. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable about everything relating to the house and Thomas Jefferson, and as a result, the 90-minute tour that started at 9 in the morning just flew by, with some in-depth information and great questions from the others on the tour adding to the experience!
Because of Jefferson's design for the house, the staircases are very long and very narrow, which forces the Thomas Jefferson Foundation to restrict the number of people who are allowed upstairs. Knowing this, I insisted that we pay the fee for the "behind the scenes" tour, which was $99 per person, and I will say that it was worth every penny! To start with, the house is an architectural marvel. I was blown away by not only the views inside the home, but the in-depth nature of the tour. This was one of the two places I was most looking forward, (the other being George Washington's Mount Vernon), and it did not disappoint. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable about everything relating to the house and Thomas Jefferson, and as a result, the 90-minute tour that started at 9 in the morning just flew by, with some in-depth information and great questions from the others on the tour adding to the experience!
Jefferson's daughter's bed
Thomas Jefferson's deathbed.
View from the dome
Tried to get a picture of this and I unintentionally took a selfie in Jefferson's mirror.
Gallery
Home: Forest, VA
This was his other estate, named "Poplar Forest".
Home: Charlottesville, VA
Thomas Jefferson, architect of the University of Virginia, lived at this home on it's campus, it is called, "The Lawn".
Gravesite: Charlottesville, VA
Thomas, using massive doses of medications, (barely) managed to stay alive on July 4th, but he was determined to see this historic date, after hearing his doctor whisper, "It is the fourth", Jefferson died, probably willingly, at his beloved Monticello.
Grave
Thomas Jefferson’s grave. It was only visible through a fence. His epitaph, which he composed himself, does not mention his time as President.
Me at Jefferson’s grave
Cenotaph: Columbia, MO
This is the original gravestone of Thomas Jefferson. In 1883, his decendents presented it to the university, as it was the first university to have been founded on the Louisinana Territory, which Jefferson purchased.
Memorial: Washington, D.C.
In 1943, the Jefferson Memorial was dedicated.
Memorial: Keystone, SD
Jefferson, along with Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt, appears on the Mount Rushmore Memorial.
