When the alarm clock went off at exactly 6:00am on Thursday May 16, 2019, my first thought of the new day was I was happy to be alive. Although my head was still kinked slightly to the right and both…
Author: Thomas Watson
My name is Thomas Watson and I've been a U.S. history fanatic since I was 9 years old. In 2013, I decided to take my passion to the next level when I purchased a Thomas Jefferson bobble head with the sole intention of photographing that bobble head at Presidential sites. From that first day on July 10, 2013 at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio, this journey has taken on a life of its own. Now, nearly 40,000 miles later, I thought it was time to share the experiences, stories, and photos of Jefferson's travels. Keep in mind, this entire venture has been done with the deepest respect for the men who held the office as our President; no matter what their political affiliations, personal ambitions, or public scandals may have been. This blog is intended to be a true tribute to the Presidents of the United States and this story will be told Through the Eyes of Jefferson. I hope you enjoy the ride!
101: DISASTER STRIKES AT MOUNT VERNON
During our six-block walk to Ford’s Theater on the afternoon of May 15, 2019, I had plenty of time to think about my experience inside the White House. For the past six years, I’ve stood in the footsteps of all…
100: INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE; BUT WITHOUT DONALD
The alarm went off at precisely 6:00am on Wednesday May 15, 2019 and I couldn’t wait to get the day started. Over the past six years, I had visited some very famous Presidential homes, including FDR’s ‘Springwood’, John Adams’ ‘Peacefield’,…
99: IN THE CRADLE OF THE PRESIDENTS – VIRGINIA’S NORTHERN NECK
Bob Moldenhauer was up at sunrise on Tuesday May 14, 2019 as the weather finally allowed him to make his morning run. I saw him as he quietly left the motel room; Bob did his best not to wake my…
98: THE OUTLAW OF SHERWOOD FOREST
As usual, our alarm clock went off at precisely 6:00am. The first thing my photographer did when he rolled out of bed on Monday May 13, 2019 was to open the curtains and check the weather. For the second consecutive…
97: THE LEGACY OF LINCOLN WAS ALIVE IN RICHMOND
By 3:00pm on May 12, 2019, we had completed the 16-mile drive from Tuckahoe Plantation to Hollywood Cemetery. The first thing that popped into my resin-filled head when I heard we were in Hollywood was whether or not I would…
96: THE EFFECTS OF ‘JEFFERSON FEVER’ WAS CONTAGIOUS!
The ringing of the alarm clock in our Charlottesville, Virginia motel room was nearly muffled by the sound of rain against the window. When my photographer opened the curtains to that window, I couldn’t believe how gloomy it looked outside.…
95: ALL’S WELL AT SHADWELL; EVEN IN THE DRIZZLE
At 2:30pm on Saturday May 11, 2019, we arrived at the birthplace of 12th President Zachary Taylor, a private residence that was located halfway between Barboursville and Gordonsville, Virginia. My photographer parked the Acadia on the side of the road,…
94: LUNCH WITH JAMES AND DOLLEY MADISON
The alarm clock went off precisely at 6:00am on Saturday May 11, 2019 and my photographer jumped out of bed as though he was shot from a cannon. It was obvious to me that the ten hours of sleep he…
93: THE “TRIP OF DREAMS” BEGAN IN STAUNTON
It had been 27 days since the Secret Service kept me from meeting Bill and Hillary Clinton. Although I was still peeved over that ordeal, that feeling quickly went away when I was packed away into the camera case for…