Jefferson thought of his house, Monticello, as a machine for living. As such, it contains many insights into how a DIY gear-nut of today might have fared in the 18th Century.
I would argue we are trying to debunk the madman-genius, nutty-professor image of Thomas Jefferson, said Monticello curator Elizabeth Chew. He is someone who was trying to adapt the latest technology in every realm of existence: science, how the house functions, in the garden. He is trying to put into use new ideas.
Jeffersons Monticello sits in the rolling hills just outside Charlottesville, Virginia. At the time of Jeffersons death in 1826, Monticello extended over 5,000 acres, but was $107,000 in debt (about $2.4 million in todays dollars).
He was a visionary and a dreamer, but he was not a good practical manager, said Chew.
Monticello today consists of about 2,000 acres and is run by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.
With a new visitor center that opened in April, the foundation continues to make acquisitions and improvements to this historic landmark.
When you walk up to the main house at Monticello, you cant help but think the house looks much bigger on the nickel. It isnt until you complete the tour you realize the grandeur of Jeffersons vision for his home on the hill.
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