If you know anything about history, you know that Virginia is filled with it. From the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown, to the surrender of Lee to Grant ending The Civil War; Virginia is brimming with history throughout. One thing that stand out is the amount of US presidents that this state has produced; eight in total.
Their marks on history, both good and bad, can be visited throughout the Commonwealth. Recently, I took the opportunity to experience some of those marks first hand. I hopped in the car and travelled up to Charlottesville to take a tour of Monticello, the private home of Thomas Jefferson. Known for being out third president and author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was a very interesting character. The things that he designed or accumulated through his travels around the world decorate the walls and halls of his home, painting stories of who he was politically and personally.
The guided tour starts in The Hall (which is in the back of the house) and it is nothing short of amazing. The Grand Clock hangs above the door and the walls are adorned with various maps, animals horns, prehistoric fossils, and Native American art. I have to admit, I was so caught up with the Mastodon jaw that I completely stopped listening to the tour guide! I did recover in time to enjoy all of its beauty, as well as the diplomatic importance of many of its items. For example, the Native American artwork was presented to Lewis and Clark from tribal leaders during their expedition. When they returned, the presents were given to Jefferson, who had commissioned their travels.
While the Entrance Hall and all of its stories will have you standing in amazement, The Parlor will make your jaw drop. To put it simply…it’s gorgeous. It is adorned with busts and portraits of various rulers, explorers, philosophers, and politicians. This room had the effect that Jefferson intended. He decorated it in a way that would serve as a conversation piece for visitors. They were able to discuss history, politics, religion, and discovery easily with these historical figures flanking the walls. Personally, my eyes were drawn to portraits of Salome and Mary Magdalene. Although they are reproductions they are still beautiful and make an impact.
While my focus tends to fall to artwork and old bones, this place is brimming with other amazing artifacts. Things like Jeffersons’ books, chess board, polygraph, and octagonal desk will draw plenty of your attention. After seeing them, the desk and polygraph alone took up hours of my time in research! But history has a way of doing that to people, and that’s the whole point, isn’t it? To peek your interest and make you learn? Or maybe to make you an explorer yourself? I like to think it does.