Monticello

So after Heather and I went with Alyson, Nate, Mandy, and Thomas to Thomas Jefferson’s old mansion, Monticello, we’ve decided that one of our life goals is to eventually own a large estate that we can pass on to our future generations. Our main thought for this is that we wished our ancestors, especially those who came to this country when it was still young, had had the foresight to claim a lot of land, build a mansion on it, and then keep it in the family so that we could have an inherited estate today. Since that obviously didn’t happen, Heather and I will just have to start the tradition ourselves!

Monticello is a good example of the type of estate we are looking for. At least it is in all aspects but one. The actual house itself was a lot smaller than I expected it to be. It almost didn’t seem to match the grounds, which were huge and really gorgeous. Luckily, it was spring when we went and so everything was in full bloom. Since the grounds are covered in flowers and a large garden dominates one side of the house, it made the air smell really nice. Besides the flowers, the grounds are peppered with all sorts of really unique and beautiful trees. Some of those trees were like nature’s jungle gym they were so perfect for little kids to play around on and climb. Plus, they added lots of shade to the whole surrounding area. Complimenting the amazing grounds was the spectacular view. Monticello, which is Italian for little mountain, is situated on top of a large hill overlooking the surrounding area. If anyone has been to Charlottesville before, then you know that it is a very verdant, lush area, so the view was spectacular. To me, this makes Monticello a good candidate for a future Heather and Todd estate.

Back to the house: it was very nice and ornate inside, and Jefferson had added all sorts of nifty gadgets and the like inside (some of which he invented, some of which he adopted from elsewhere). I did like how the all-weather tunnels underground connected the house with the two outer wings. My favorite aspect of the house were to the two studies which sat independent of the house on each wing, connected to the house by two very large and spacious decks. What a perfect place to study or just to think when the house is too noisy and busy. What’s more, they would be a perfect place to watch lightening or snowstorms.

All in all, Monticello was a great place to visit and we all had a great time.