Happy Birthday Mr. Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson’s Home
Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday, was April 13, 1743. Happy birthday Mr. President might be in order. But… a better way to celebrate is a visual tour of his extraordinary home, Monticello and five quirky facts about our 3rd President.
1 – History shows us that Monticello is one of the greatest tributes to Palladian Architecture built in America. While there are other municipal and government buildings in the Palladian Style Jeffersons home is the major grand residential estate of it’s type to survive today.
Jefferson gave his all to Monticello and in doing so died $100,000 in debt in1826. He inherited the land from his father and begun construction when he was only 26. The construction and redecoration continued almost until his death.
2 -It was during Jeffersons time as Ambassador to France that he fell in love with all things french, including wine and Neoclassic decorations. He imported some of the great French Wines to the US and grew grapes in Virginia.
3 – Around 60% of the furniture on display today is from the original home. Many of the pieces were purchased in France when Jefferson was the ambassador to France under President Washington.
4 – While he was the ambassador he had one of the great affairs of his life. In 1786, Jefferson met and fell in love with Maria Cosway, an accomplished, and married, Italian-English musician of 27. They saw each other frequently over a period of six weeks. She returned to Great Britain, but they maintained a lifelong correspondence.
5 – The dining room at Monticello is now the original color, Crome. After Jefferson death, it was repainted Wedgwood blue and was only repainted in the original color recently.
His decorating always included books on the mantel even in the dining room. When guests would arrive for dinner he would be waiting for them reading a book.
