WINO, Ventura County Chapter
Travel Stories
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia, is more than just a pretty picture postcard of Monticello, the home of our third president. For instance, think of the University of Virginia as representing excellence in education. For a glimpse of 19th Century life there is Michie’s Tavern and Ash Lawn-Highland, the more modest home of our fifth President, James Monroe. For some fun things to do, the Downtown Mall is for strolling, networking and shopping. Noted for fine dining are Hamilton’s and the Clifton Inn. A great stop for wine tasting would be both Jefferson Vineyards and Kluge Winery and Estate. And there is a pleasant, convenient place to stay while seeing all this: the Cavalier Inn, just across the way from the University of Virginia.
Of all our destinations in Charlottesville, Monticello was the most culturally significant and stunningly beautiful. I knew from the time I first found out I would be going to Virginia that this was the place I most wanted to visit – and it far exceeded my expectations! Monticello was the cherished home of Thomas Jefferson. It is one of the most identifiable residences in the world. At the conclusion of his second term as president Jefferson was anxious to return home to Monticello, his “harbor” with his family, books and farm. The 5,000-acre plantation is located on the lower slope of Monticello Mountain.
The place to begin your introduction to Monticello is the Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center, which opened in 2009. Start with an introductory film which speaks of the many facets of Thomas Jefferson. Listening to the story of his life and seeing his many inventions will make you think of the similarities to the great minds of Leonardo Da Vinci and Benjamin Franklin. His biographer, James Parton, said he could "calculate an eclipse, survey an estate, tie an artery, plan an edifice, try a cause, break a horse, dance a minuet and play the violin." You will see evidence of Jefferson’s versatility everywhere in his residence.
Confirmation of his talents is in the four exhibitions in the Visitor’s Center. The first is entitled, “The Words of Thomas Jefferson.” Jefferson was a prolific writer of letters, and his legacy is more than 200 quotations which have been placed on the wall. John Adams said of his vast correspondence, “he had a felicity of expression.” “Thomas Jefferson and the Boisterous Sea of Liberty,” the second exhibit, illustrated the influence of Jefferson’s beliefs that led to his writing of the Declaration of Independence. His beliefs are projected on a wall of 21 flat-panel screens. Seven of these are interactive touch screens. The words are in different colors and are continually changing. The third exhibition is entitled “Monticello: Jefferson’s Essay in Architecture,” which shows how Jefferson’s vision of his future home evolved. His drawings and models are preserved and displayed in the center along with his drafting instruments.
To be continued...