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A Day Trip to Monticello

October 12, 2011 By Doug Francis

Monticello Thomas Jefferson Charlottesville Virginia

Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia

The fall weather cooperated for our day trip to see Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia. Monticello was Thomas Jefferson’s home and includes magnificent grounds, gardens, vistas,  plus a guided house tour. Jefferson’s grave is also on the property.

Tickets are required so get there early. At the visitor’s center there is a short film which will easily get everyone up to speed on the historical significance of Monticello and Thomas Jefferson.

Visitors are not allowed to take photos inside the house, but it is filled with unique items from private collectors of Jefferson’s items. He truely had an interest in everything including horticulture, science, weather, architecture, and books. His front hall clock was made in Philadelphia and measures time to the second as well as the days of the week. But wait, the clock’s weights required more room than the entry had available so holes had to be cut into the floor.

Tour Monticello and then head into Charlottesville for lunch

The dumb waiters, oil lamps, original doors and more will give you an inside look into his world. I found it amazing that he lived before the railroad age yet accomplished so much that we consider “modern”. Jefferson was highly influenced by the “Age of Enlightenment“.

Thomas Jefferson Grave MarkerCuriously, when Jefferson died virtually everything was sold including the house. We are fortunate that the buyers understood the historical significance of the home and maintained it for future generations to experience. The Monticello web site is excellent so you should check that out before hopping in the car.

Another good Day Trip

If you are planning a day trip like we did from Vienna, Virginia, plan to spend two hours driving there. Parking is easy. We were there until 1:00 and then headed into Charlottesville for lunch near the University of Virginia Grounds (campus). A walking tour around the Grounds and the Rotunda will tie the trip together since Jefferson considered the establishment of UVA to be more important than having served as President of the United States.

These are great day trips for people living here.

 

Related articles
  • ArtsBeat Blog: Smithsonian Plans Exhibition on Jefferson and Slavery (artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com)
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Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: Charlottesville Virginia

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

Helping my clients add value to their homes has always been important to me. My step-by-step recommendations are intended to increase market appeal, return more than invested, and help net more when selling.

Beyond just sellers, I have helped many new homeowners make smart design decisions when remodeling. We gutted our house and totally remodeled it, and I pass that experience along because living in a nice house is simply better.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Filmed in Vienna and McLean

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

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