Monticello

From Cvillepedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Monticello.jpg

Monticello was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, who also was its designer. The home is managed by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.


History

Construction of Monticello started in 1768 and was finished in 1805. The building was made almost entirely by materials which were prepared on site and was built mostly by slaves.

After Jefferson died in 1826, the house was sold in order to pay back debts acquired in Jefferson's lifetime. It was purchased by Commodore Uriah P. Levy in 1836. After Levy bought the mansion, it remained in the family until 1923 with the exception of its confiscation by the Confederate government during the Civil War. Public desire for the government to buy Monticello started as early as 1910, although Jefferson Levy said that he would never sell the mansion. However, after World War 1, Levy faced financial struggles which forced him to sell the house.[1]

The National Monticello Association announced in March 1, 1923, that it would purchase the estate from Jefferson Levy for a sum of $500,000.[2] Plans were announced in February 1925 to restore the home to the way it was in Jefferson's day.[3]

Connection to public water and sewer

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will determine in 2014 whether to extend public sewer services to Monticello, its visitor center, and other buildings. The foundation also wants to extend water lines to fuel storage tanks in order to provide more protection from fire.[4]

Slavery at Monticello

Monticello was built largely by slaves. Over 50 slaves at a time worked on the mountain and tended to the upkeep of the building. However, most of the slave dwellings in Monticello, in an area called Mulberry Row, are no longer standing. Only the working areas within Monticello itself, such as the storerooms and the kitchen, are still standing.

Because none of the structures in Mulberry Row still stood, slavery at Monticello was not well understood until the late 20th century. Research into slavery at Monticello started in the 1970s. In 1979, this research expanded when Mulberry Row was excavated. Findings from Mulberry Row has given a number of insights into the life of slaves at Monticello. Differing structures show that the quality of housing varied for different slaves. Artifacts also include pottery, glass, coins, animal bones, and some jewelry.[5]

In 2016, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation hired Gayle Jessup White and Niya Bates to help improve the way in which the story of slavery at the plantation is told. White was hired as a community outreach officer and Bates was hired as a public historian of slavery and African-American life.[6]

Map

Monticello is located in Albemarle County and is administered by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Coordinates:Erioll world.svg.png 38°00′37″N 78°27′08″W / 38.010332°N 78.452339°W / 38.010332; -78.452339


Community History Series

On September 17, 1974, the Jefferson Cable Corporation filmed a brief documentary at Monticello. This episode, narrated by Bernard Chamberlain, describes the history of the US Constitution.

<vimeo>52934956</vimeo>

External links

References

  1. Heblich, F., Jr., & Walters, C. C. (1978). Holsinger's Charlottesville- Selected Photographs From the Collection of Rufus W. Holsinger. Charlottesvle, Virginia: Maiden Lane Press.
  2. Web. Association Will Buy Monticello, Daily Progress Staff, Daily Progress, March 2, 1923, retrieved January 15, 2013.
  3. Web. Monticello Soon Will Be Restored As Originally, Staff Reports, Daily Progress Digitized Microfilm, Lindsay family, February 5, 1925, retrieved May 18, 2016 from University of Virginia Library. Print. January 23, 1925 page 1.
  4. Web. County poised to O.K. public sewer, water expansion at Monticello, Graelyn Brashear, C-VILLE Weekly, Portico Publications, November 13, 2013, retrieved November 18, 2013. Print. November 13, 2013 .
  5. Loth, C. (Ed.). (1995). Virginia Landmarks of Black History. Charlottsville, Virginia: Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.
  6. Web. New hires look to better tell story of African-American life at Monticello, Michael Bragg, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, July 17, 2016, retrieved July 25, 2016.