The definition of renaissance man: Thomas Jefferson — author of the Declaration of Independence, President of the United States, founder of the University of Virginia. Collector of wines, books and knowledge. A self-taught linguist, architect, inventor and gardener. And as part of the country’s greatest injustice, also a slave owner. “All men are created equal.” Or perhaps more like “the duality of man, sir.”
It was about 105 degrees and just as high humidity when we visited Monticello in Charlottesville, TJ’s home. It did not take away from the pleasure of the visit. To see the gardens and grounds, with its incredible variety of trees, vegetables and flowers, and to take a tour of the interior, with its smart architecture (his bed in an alcove between two rooms to take advantage of breezes), fascinating technology (a copier that wrote two letters while he hold only one pen) and worldy furnishings (that 7-day clock that moved on weights and pulleys surrounding the front door) was really awe-inspiring. To think of all the people that have walked those gardens and halls — and now we had, too.
We weren’t permitted to take photos inside the house, so the post you’ll see here is of the gardens and grounds tour. Check out the interior of the house on the web site: monticello.org.
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and she was smart. She brought along a parasol to block the oppressive sun.
We joined the tour just a few minutes late, so we were already walking along the ringed path around the back yard of the property. One of the first things she pointed out was how these plants with hearty branches were planted so the less sturdy plants could climb on them like a trellis. Greg and I thought that was a trick worth stealing, but unfortunately I can’t remember what either of these plants are. Anyone recognize them?
A nice jag of zinnias:
I don’t remember the names of all these plants, though I believe the first one, the orange one, is a lily that is one of the most popular plants that people buy in the gift shop to take home.
Here are the others:
Now we’re leaving the garden path and walking through the trees to get to the vegetable garden:
Greg beckons:
Some of the vegetables:
Fennel:
Artichokes:
Fields:
Vines:
A look back along the garden toward the mountain that TJ fled over during an invasion of Monticello:
TJ used to like to sit here and think.
You can see why.
Back up at the house:
Along the sides of the house, under the terraces, there’s what’s called the dependencies: where some of the slaves lived and the household needs were attended to. Such as the wine cellar:
And the ice well:
Sorry I don’t have more photos to share, but I hope these few will inspire you to take a trip to Monticello. We would love to go again — when it’s not quite so hot.
