Monticello : A Pilgrimage to the Founding Father and First Young Fed
Thomas Jefferson, the quintessential young Fed (he wrote the Declaration of Independence when he was only 33), might have had today's young Feds in mind when he wrote a letter to James Madison that included the line: "I hold it that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms are in the physical.
Jefferson liked to shake things up. The fact that he had an impressive and distinguished early career in local government is rarely mentioned. Rather, he is known for a life of public service that included Governor of Virginia, Ambassador to France, the first Secretary of State, Vice President and President of the United States. He was the prime intellectual leader of the American Revolution, drafted groundbreaking legislation on freedom of religion, made the Louisiana Purchase, commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was an early cultural and scientific leader in the US, an author of international reknown, and an architect of great distinction.
Did we mention he also founded the University of Virginia?
Monticello, as he called his home, is located about 125 miles from DC. The drive is scenic and takes just under three hours. It is a worthwhile day trip. (Google Map it!)
With a wide variety of activities on and around the plantation, visitors are sure to be entertained and entranced by the vast displays of history and insight into Jefferson 's amazing mind and extraordinary life. Guided tours of his spectacular house start every five minutes and last for 30 minutes, and visitors can get a unique glimpse at the books, gadgets, art, furnishings, and objects that Jefferson and his family used and enjoyed. Tickets cost $14 for adults and include access to the magnificent grounds and two optional outdoor guided tours: the dependencies that contain kitchens, workrooms, and slave quarters; and the gardens that trail around and eventually lead to the Monticello cemetery where Jefferson and some of his family members are buried. There is also a 90 minute tour of Montalto, the neighboring mountain that rises 410-feet above Monticello.
Start planning your trip by visiting www.charlottesvilletourism.org, which is a great guide to activities and restaurants in Charlottesville, where Monticello is located. And be sure to visit www.monticello.org for some "before you visit" history of Monticello and Jefferson. You can also purchase your tour tickets in advance at this site.
