Thomas Jefferson, never at loss to come up with a new idea, decided he was going to build a house on the hill as the centerpiece to his 5,000-acre plantation.
And talk about privacy! You can’t see it from the road, even if you know where to look.

Preparation of the site began in 1768 with construction beginning the following year. With approximately 11,000 sq. ft. of living space, this is not your basic suburban master-planned community house. Monticello was designed by Jefferson after a visit to Europe. The Roman neoclassic design contains forty-three rooms following a remodeling expansion completed in 1809.

Much of the construction material came from the land around the house. The window glass came from Europe and about one-third of the glass now in the house is original.

Monticello - Thomas Jefferson's home

Alcove Bed

Of interest is Jefferson’s bed, which he designed after seeing alcove beds during his time in France. Taking the idea of beds built into walls upon his return from Europe, Jefferson redesigned Monticello, adding an alcove bed to his bedroom, but leaving both sides open. This connected his bedroom with his study.  So, Jefferson was never totally hidden away in his bedroom, but was able to access both rooms easily.  Obviously, Jefferson was not a man to rest easily.

Touring

Tours of the house run constantly throughout the day with timed tickets, so it is best to visit other areas of Monticello following your background tour.

Those background tour areas include the Gardens, dependencies, Mulberry Row and Jefferson’s gravesite.

Tickets are available throughout the day on a first come-first served basis. Tours of the house begin every 10 minutes.

ADMISSION

House Tour/Grounds: Nov. – Feb. $15.00 / March – October $20.00
Age 6-11: $8.00

Hours Vary – See Website for calendar of hours.

http://www.monticello.org

Tomorrow – Come back for a retrospect on our blog and some things to be thankful for.

Virginia has several such towns, Lexington (Washington & Lee University), Williamsburg (College of William & Mary), Blacksburg (Virginia Poly Tech), Radford (Radford University), even Farmville (Longwood University) are a few of the ten such towns that are labeled “college towns.”

But, my pick for this article is Charlottesville.

Home to the University of Virginia, designed by United States President and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, Charlottesville is just over an hour from Richmond, and easily accessible by car or plane. Current population of just under 50,000 makes this a small college town with amenities that you might not find in other towns of this size.Just 20 miles west are the Blue Ridge Mountains and the famed Blue Ridge Parkway cutting across the top toward the northwest and ending at Front Royal, Virginia.

http://www.nps.gov/blri

DOWNTOWN CHARLOTTESVILLE

Downtown is home to a pedestrian-only mall running eight blocks lined with a mix of shops, multi-cuisine restaurant choices and classic brick buildings. A former favorite of mine, and many Charlottesville residents, was the Hardware Store Restaurant. After 30 years the owners sold and a fun restaurant has been replaced by a national, albeit eclectic, chain store.

The Paramount Theatre, with its Greek-revival and Neo-classical architecture, is open again after a major renovation and being dark for more than 30 years. Offering a mix of classic movies, opera, ballet and holiday fare, the interior of this 1931 building is not to be missed. Check for an event before your trip at:

www.theparamount.net

If you are looking for accommodations, the Omni Charlottesville Hotel anchors the northwest end of the mall.

www.omnihotels.com

A list of shops, restaurants and services is located at:

www.downtowncharlottesville.net

THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

The University of Virginia hosts a student population of just under 20,000. The school was the idea of Thomas Jefferson and much of the original architecture and site plan were designed by him. Known as “Mr. Jefferson’s University” he founded the University in 1819 on land that was owned by another, soon to be President of the United States, James Monroe.

Be sure to take time to walk around the university and visit the Lawn and the Rotunda.

Rotunda at Jefferson's University - The University of Virginia

MICHIE TAVERN

Just outside of town are two historical sites, Monticello and Michie Tavern. The latter was formerly an inn dating back to 1784. Today, it is a restaurant and museum. With costumed hostesses, the menu is limited to a few southern dishes while you are seated in a rustic atmosphere. If you have never been to Williamsburg, or don’t plan to, Michie Tavern just might put you in the mood.

www.michietavern.com/

RESORT

A few miles west of the University is the four-diamond rated Boar’s Head Inn. The resort is owned by the University of Virginia Foundation. The 170 rooms are set with Colonial style furnishings sitting on a 573-acre estate.

Complete with a golf course, sports club and spa, the property is host to four restaurants including the Old Mill Room. This historic dining room was built with timbers from an abandoned gristmill on the Hardware River and, for 22 years, has earned a AAA four-diamond rating.

www.boarsheadinn.com/

Tomorrow: Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

Commonly called just “Virginia Tech,” the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is located on 2,600 acres in Blacksburg, VA and contains 125 buildings. It was founded in 1872 as a public grant college and has worked its way up to be one of the top public universities in the United States.

Virginia Tech "Hokie" stone building

The campus is beautiful, the buildings being built of “Hokie Stone.” It is official University policy that buildings must incorporate the use of this stone in their construction. “Hokie Stone” is a native limestone that is quarried from a university owned site. One of the most beautiful structures on campus that illustrates the use of this stone is the Torgersen Hall Bridge over the Alumni Mall. To drive through the campus of tree-lined streets and park-like settings is a sight-seeing tour in itself, passing the popular “duck pond,” Newman Library and the drill field

Torgerson Hall Bridge over Alumni Mall

The War Memorial Chapel is located on Drill Drive and is a tribute from alumni and friends to the sons of Virginia Tech who made the ultimate sacrifice in our Nation’s Wars. It is dedicated to those who gave their all; yet designed to inspire the living. It is open 18 hours a day for anyone who wishes to use it.

Another "Hokie" Stone Building

The Hahn Horticulture Gardens is located on campus and is open daily with no charge. All features have been built or planted by students and faculty and features a dwarf conifer display, steam garden with different species of bog and aquatic plants, a wisteria garden, along with other beautiful settings and areas.

The school mascot is the Hokie Bird, which started out to be a gobbler, but was changed to the fictional Hokie Bird, derived from a spirit yell originated in 1896. This spirit yell is still used today. The stylized VT is used mainly by the athletic department as a symbol for Virginia Tech athletic teams.

The Corps of Cadets is a big part of campus life. When the University was opened, all students were cadets, but it is now voluntary. The ROTC is part of the Corps, as is the school band. The Cadets high-light the colors during pre-game activities of every football game and they make trips to dedications of note throughout the United States. Members of the Corps have served in every war in which the United States has participated.

Not only is it a beautiful campus, but Virginia Tech is rated 71st among national universities and 29th in public universities. The traditions are strong and loyal.

Come back Monday for more on Richmond, VA battlefields

Although Robert E. Lee was not born in Richmond (actually at his family home of Stratford Hall near Lerty, Virginia), nor is he even buried there (that would be in a chapel at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia), his legacy lives on if not more than in a large statue on Monument Avenue.Ironically, Lee was not a proponent of the Virginia’s succession from the Union. The West Point Military Academy graduate reluctantly turned down President Lincoln’s offer to lead the northern troops due to his loyalty to his home state.

Also ironically, not much of anything is actually embossed with the name of Robert E. Lee in the city. But that doesn’t mean the Civil War and the Confederacy for which he led troops for Jefferson Davis is not alive and well in and around Richmond.

The National Park Service operates the Richmond National Battlefield Park. The name is actually a misnomer, as there are actually 11 battlefields, and 2 major museums, which make up the park system. (the Museum of the Confederacy in downtown Richmond is not part of the RNBP)

The thing to recognize from the start is that none of these sites are within walking distance of each other. PERIOD! If you wish to see more than one site, a car is necessary, along with a good map or GPS. A full day will be needed for the 80-mile driving tour.

www.nps.gov/RICH

The original visitor’s center within the city was located at Chimborazo Medical Center, up on the hill in the southeast section of the city. The main visitor’s center is now located at Tredegar Iron Works near the center of the city next to the James River.

Lee may not totally be the center of attention in Richmond, but he was still a true southern gentleman. So, take my advice, don’t ridicule him in front of the true locals, and whatever you do …

Whatever you do, DON’T CALL HIM “BOB”!

Next Week: Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works

As a former resident of the city for several years, it’s always interesting to come back and re-visit just why you lived somewhere, and maybe even why you left.  In the case of Richmond, I relocated there for a job and left for the same reason. 

Richmond is a mix of a modern and also a “stuck in the past” city.  The latter would be their Civil War heritage.

But, that shouldn’t stop anyone from visiting as there are many things to see and do and you don’t have to see a single battlefield, Civil War or Revolutionary War, if you don’t want to, and still have a great time.

Are you into literature?  Edgar Allen Poe lived in Richmond for over 13 years.  The Poe Museum is located on Broad Street (Poe didn’t actually live in the house, but nearby).  Furniture from his home, as well as manuscripts, first editions and personal belongings, are on display.

www.poemuseum.org

Architecture?  How about a 15^th century English estate (Agecroft Hall) that was bought at auction, crated and shipped from Lancashire, England to Richmond, and reassembled on the banks of the James River.

www.agecrofthall.com/

Famous speeches?  Revolutionary leader Patrick Henry wasn’t shy about speaking.  He gave his famous “stick it to King George” speech,  “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death” at St. John’s Church in Richmond. 

www.historicstjohnschurch.org/hist_main.htm

Monuments?  How about … Monument Avenue?  Northwest of downtown Richmond you’ll find Robert E. Lee on a horse … J.E.B. Stuart, on a horse … Stonewall Jackson, on a horse … Jefferson Davis (President of the Confederate States of America), not on a horse.

Anyone notice a theme … and we’re not talking about the horses.

And then, there is Matthew Fontaine Maury.  Who?  Seriously, WHO? 

And finally, a slightly controversial choice for an avenue with statues of Confederate soldiers — we have

Arthur Ashe, professional tennis player, born and raised in Richmond. 

Even if you don’t like statues, the architecture along the avenue ranges from English Tudor, Georgian, Italian, and Art Deco on either side of center islands of huge trees and green grass.  It’s the kind of street they don’t build anymore.

Historic Theatres with a Pipe Organ?  The Byrd Theatre in Carytown, a retail shopping area northwest of downtown was opened in 1928.  Included in its 1,300 seat configuration is a balcony and a Wurlitzer Pipe Organ that opens the show on Saturday evenings by rising from the basement to the stage in front of the screen.

You can’t buy tickets ahead of time, they don’t show previews, and the movies aren’t first run … but at $1.99, I’m not going to complain!

http://byrdtheatre.com

http://www.visitrichmondva.com/

NEXT TIME: We’ll take a trip back in time and look at the Civil War history of Richmond and what remains today.