Lynchburg, VA

Today we headed north an hour to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.  American history was not taught in Australia, so what I knew of Jefferson and this place was minimal.  Obviously Amy knew a lot, and the boys had started to learn a little about this period of time during the school year, but still this was going to be educational for all of us.

I learnt that Jefferson inherited the land and knew immediately where he wanted to build his home - on the favored hill of his childhood.  He started building in 1768, but changed design after 1794, after his time living in Europe.  The property was used to grow tobacco and wheat, but sadly under the labor of 600 slaves.  Jefferson continually worked on the house until his death in 1826.

Monticello

When you arrive, you are greeted by an actor portraying Jefferson, who tells a cheery story of Jefferson's life and legacy.  When you get up to the house, it is somewhat a different story.  While Jefferson's achievements are celebrated i.e., the Declaration of Independence, his presidency, founding of University of Virginia, etc., it is overshadowed when you are informed his use of slaves to achieve his greatness.  His slaves' stories are not shied away from, especially that of Sally Hemings - a sister-in-law, and slave he inherited from his father-in-law, who gave birth to 6 of Jefferson's children.  It was a real eye opening experience, even for Amy.  While the beauty of the house and its surrounds are magnificent, the foundation on which it was built is quite ugly.

After our tour we headed into Charlottesville to find lunch.  I think we left it too late, as the heat and hunger took hold of B and he started to feel unwell.  We hung out in the shade, in a park near UVA until he felt well enough to get back in the car.  

We sort air-conditioned comfort in the hotel for the afternoon, before walking to Bootleggers for dinner.  This bar and grill allowed for us to sit outside looking over the James River.  An after dinner walk saw us finish the evening eating giant ice creams at MayLynn's Creamery.