“Thank you for checking out this blog about my travels. And now, on to another segment of ‘Hail to the Chief’ starring me – the most famous bobble head in the world!”
“In this post, I proudly present to you, our Third President and my favorite President…”
“…Thomas Jefferson.”
THOMAS JEFFERSON BIRTHPLACE SITE – Located about four miles east of Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia, Shadwell Plantation was where Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743. “Most tourists would be satisfied with a simple photograph of this historical marker that was located outside of the locked gates to the property. But not me!”
“After climbing over the gate on May 11, 2019 during my first harrowing trip onto private property, I was carried roughly a half-mile along a path in an attempt to find the archaeological dig that had revealed the foundation of Jefferson’s birthplace.”
“After his birth, at or near this location, Thomas Jefferson spent only two years at Shadwell before his father moved the family to Tuckahoe Plantation.At the age of nine, Jefferson came back to live at Shadwell. However, in February 1770, the one-and-a-half story house burned to the ground. The 27-year-old future President moved to the nearby mountaintop and began building Monticello.”
“I returned to the Shadwell site on May 16, 2021 where my photographer and Bob Moldenhauer found the granite marker that was erected on the site of Thomas Jefferson’s birthplace.”
“I thought perhaps I would be able to see Monticello, which was roughly four miles away, from my position on top of the marker, but I couldn’t.”
“I was, however, able to see a small brick outbuilding that was located a short distance from the Shadwell marker. During my visit in 2019, I saw the same outbuilding.”
“It was an honor for me to finally stand on the ground where Thomas Jefferson was born. Not many Presidential historians have the moxie to find the Shadwell site. But my photographer and Bob Moldenhauer did, and I was thankful for their undaunted efforts.”
TUCKAHOE PLANTATION – Built in 1712, Tuckahoe Plantation was the boyhood home to Thomas Jefferson from 1745 to 1752. The home, originally owned by William Randolph III, is located about six miles west of Tuckahoe, Virginia.
“When William Randolph died in 1745, Peter Jefferson moved his family (including Thomas) from Shadwell to Tuckahoe to care for the Randolph’s three orphaned children.”
“From the side, it was easy to see how large the H-shaped house was.”
“During our second visit to Tuckahoe, it was awesome as Tom, Bob, and I were the only ones there. That made it easier to capture our images.”
“As I stood on the concrete steps of Tuckahoe, I wondered if Jefferson had once walked on those same steps as well.”
“Let’s walk through the door behind me and see the interior of Tuckahoe Plantation – the boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson.”
“I didn’t realize that I wasn’t supposed to pose for photos in the front parlor of Tuckahoe. Oops!”
“The living room where young Jefferson likely romped with his sisters and the Randolph children.”
“I’m standing next to the original staircase at Tuckahoe. It was on those stairs where young Thomas Jefferson would have ascended to his bedroom.”
“I’m in one of the upstairs bedrooms that is believed to have been the room where the future President slept while at Tuckahoe.”
“This small building, located at Tuckahoe Plantation and only a short distance from the main house, served as a schoolhouse during the time when Jefferson lived there.”
“This place brought new meaning to “one-room schoolhouse”. It was the smallest school I’d ever seen.”
“I couldn’t wait to be carried through the door behind me and into the school where Jefferson received some of his earliest education.”
“Thomas Jefferson learned to read and writeinside this one-room schoolhouse, and to me, that was mind blowing.”
“I’m standing on the same floorboards that Thomas Jefferson once stood on as a youth when he attended school at Tuckahoe.How awesome is that?”
NATURAL BRIDGE – A geological formation located in Rockbridge County, Virginia, Thomas Jefferson purchased 157-acres of land from King George III that included the Natural Bridge.“When Jefferson purchased this land, he called it “the most Sublime of nature’s works.”
“Thomas Jefferson built a two-room cabin here and as President he surveyed the area. Jefferson also hosted guests here, including James Monroe and Martin Van Buren.”
“The arch of this natural bridge is 215 feet high with a span of 90 feet across. Legend has it that George Washington once threw a rock over the entire span while there surveying the area. With an arm like that, George would’ve made a great quarterback in the NFL!”
“When I returned two years after my first visit to Natural Bridge, it rained during my entire stay.”
RALEIGH TAVERN – Located in Williamsburg, Virginia and named after Sir Walter Raleigh, the tavern gained fame as a secret meeting place of the Burgesses after their actions did not suit the Crown and they were dissolved.
“The original building was burned by arsonists in 1859 and then rebuilt on the original foundation in 1931. The Apollo Room inside was a frequent rendezvous point for Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other patriots.As an 18-year-old, Jefferson had his heart broken in this tavern when he proposed marriage to Rebekka Burwell and she turned him down.”
MARTHA WAYLES SKELTON – A widow, Martha Wayles Skelton was only 23 years old when she married 28-year-old Thomas Jefferson on January 1, 1772. The couple exchanged wedding vows in the home of Martha’s father in Charles City County, Virginia. Martha died at Monticello on September 6, 1782 at the age of 33. In her final days, Jefferson promised he would never re-marry.
GOVERNOR’S PALACE – The palace was the official residence of Virginia’s Governor when the capital was in Williamsburg. As governor, Thomas Jefferson lived in the palace for only two years – 1779 and ‘80. On December 22, 1781, after the capital was moved to Richmond, the Governor’s Palace was destroyed by fire. The reconstructed building opened in 1934 on the original site.
“Jefferson lived here for two years. In 1780, he urged the capital to be relocated to Richmond. He felt the capital would be safer from the British if it was further inland.Patrick Henry lived in the Governor’s Palace from 1776 to 1779; which was when Jefferson replaced him as governor. Jefferson was the last governor to live in the palace.”
CAPITOL BUILDING – Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, the Capitol was the site of Patrick Henry’s speech on May 29, 1765 against the Stamp Act. Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, George Wythe and others played parts in legislative maneuvers that led to the revolution.
“The second Capitol Building was built in 1753 and played a huge part in America’s revolution. It remained Virginia’s Capitol until it moved to Richmond in 1780.The Capitol on this site was last used as a Capitol on December 24, 1779. In 1832, the building was destroyed by fire; leaving no trace of the original structure. The current building was constructed on its footprint.”
“While I stood on the steps of the Capitol, it dawned on me that all of the historically significant buildings in Williamsburg were destroyed by fire – with the exception of George Wythe’s house.”
THE DECLARATION HOUSE – On June 11, 1776, Thomas Jefferson rented two second-story rooms from Jacob Graff, Jr. at his house that once stood at Market and North 7th Street in Philadelphia. While in the original Graff house, 33-year-old Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
“It was hard to believe, but when Thomas Jefferson lived in a second-story room of the Graff House, he wrote the Declaration of Independence in only 17 days.Unfortunately, the original Graff house that stood on that site was destroyed in 1883.“
“The Committee of Five, which consisted of Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston, all had a hand in creating the final draft of Jefferson’s Declaration.”
“Thomas Jefferson used this portable desk in June 1776 to write the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. The desk was on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.”
“As I gazed in amazement at the small desk, I thought about the instrument of freedom Jefferson created when he penned the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence by using the pens and ink stored in that very desk.”
“It’s unbelievable to think that Jefferson was only 33 years old when he penned the Declaration of Independence.”
INDEPENDENCE HALL – Built in 1753 in Philadelphia and originally called the Pennsylvania State House, Independence Hall was where the Declaration of Independence was debated, adopted, and signed in July 1776.
“Thomas Jefferson, along with John Adams, became the only future Presidents to sign the Declaration of Independence.”
“As I stood behind Independence Hall waiting to go inside, I wondered how many times Thomas Jefferson stood in the same spot and conversed with some of his fellow delegates.”
“I’m standing in the Assembly Room inside Independence Hall where the Second Continental Congress delegates adopted and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.”
“Thomas Jefferson, front and center with the other members of the Committee of Five, presents the Declaration of Independence to John Hancock, the President of the Second Continental Congress.”
“I’m standing on the southern side of the Assembly Room where Thomas Jefferson and the other southern delegates of the Second Continental Congress sat.”
“It was an honor for me to stand close to one of the most historically significant artifacts in the world – the original Syng inkstand from Independence Hall.On August 2, 1776, Thomas Jefferson dipped his quill pen into this ink stand and signed the Declaration of Independence.”
“Two months after my visit to Independence Hall, I got a close look at Jefferson’s signature on a rare authentic copy of the Declaration that was engraved on July 4, 1823.”
JEFFERSON ROCK – This natural rock formation along the Appalachian Trail in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia consisted of several masses of Harper’s shale, piled one upon another, that overlooked the Shenandoah River just prior to the confluence of the Potomac River.
“This rock formation became famous when Thomas Jefferson stood there on October 25, 1783 and admired the view.When Jefferson arrived at this site, he had already penned the Declaration of Independence seven years earlier.”
“Jefferson was amazed by the natural beauty of the area and wrote in his journal: “It is as placid and delightful as (it) is wild and tremendous. This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic.”
CHIMNEY POINT STATE HISTORIC SITE – The tavern at Chimney Point, located in Vermont on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, was built around 1785 on the grounds of a 1731 French fort that once occupied the site.
“Six years after the tavern was built, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Congressman James Madison stayed at the tavern on May 31, 1791 during their tour of Upstate New York and New England.”
“Jefferson and Madison were accompanied by slaves James Hemings and Mathew. During their stay, Madison wrote: “On Crown Point is one family only. On the opposite side, the country is well inhabited.”
UNITED STATES CAPITOL – Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated the third President of the United States in the Old Senate Chamber on March 4, 1801. It was the first Presidential inauguration held in Washington and the first time the Marine Band played at the ceremony. Aaron Burr served as Jefferson’s Vice President and campaign manager.“In Jefferson’s first inaugural address, he focused on the theme of reconciliation after his bitterly partisan election.”
“The Old Supreme Court Chamber, where I had the honor of visiting inside the Capitol, was the original Senate Chamber where Thomas Jefferson took the Oath of Office on March 4, 1801.”
“Outgoing President John Adams did not attend Jefferson’s inauguration. Adams was distraught over losing the election to Jefferson, as well as the death of his son Charles to alcoholism.”
THE WHITE HOUSE – Thomas Jefferson lived in the White House as our third President from 1801 to 1809. During his Presidency, he finalized the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and spearheaded the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804.
“While serving as President, Jefferson used the Green Room in the White House as his dining room.”
“During my visit to the White House on May 15, 2019, I was awestruck to see Jefferson’s portrait hanging front and center in the Blue Room.”
MARTHA JEFFERSON RANDOLPH – The eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson, “Patsy” filled the role as White House hostess. But she was more than that. She was the emotional foundation that supported Jefferson’s role as President and became a significant influence during his tumultuous political life.
“I’m standing next to a pair of Thomas Jefferson’s reading glasses he used in 1806 while serving as President.Jefferson once wrote: “I use spectacles at night, but not necessarily in the day, unless in reading small print.”
JEFFERSON PIER – Now located near the Washington Monument, the Pier was originally constructed in 1804 when President Jefferson requested a survey of a new meridian through the President’s House.
“The three-foot tall granite monolith I’m standing on was positioned directly in line with the center of The White House to the north and the center of the newly constructed United States Capitol to the east.Just after my photographer adjusted my head for this image, the spring in my neck broke and my head fell off.“
“Talk about embarrassing! For the second time in nine years, I was headless. The bad thing was, there were hundreds of tourists around who saw me.”
“I had a spectacular look at the illuminated Jefferson Memorial the night before my head fell off.”
UNITED STATES CAPITOL – On March 4, 1805, Jefferson was back in the Senate Chamber for his second inauguration. Due to Jefferson’s growing dislike for Aaron Burr, the Vice President during Jefferson’s first term, Burr was replaced as V.P. with Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina.“During his second inaugural address, Jefferson addressed his recent acquisition of Louisiana and the need for freedom of the press, even though he criticized recent press attacks against him.”
POPLAR FOREST – Construction began on Jefferson’s retreat house, located near Forest, Virginia, in 1806 while he was still President. The octagonal design of Poplar Forest may have been the first of its kind built in the United States.
“When Jefferson’s retreat house was completed in 1816, his visits lasted from a few days to weeks. He first begun annual visits to the home in 1810 to orchestrate the construction.”
“I’m standing alongside a tree that was alive when Jefferson lived at Poplar Forest. The two windows to the right of the entrance are at Jefferson’s bedchamber.”
“Are you ready to see the interior of Jefferson’s Poplar Forest?”
“The room I’m standing in once served as Jefferson’s bedchamber at Poplar Forest.”
“The eight walls of this room were very evident of Jefferson’s architectural design.”
“I’m standing on original brickwork and near the only fireplace that was at Poplar Forest when Jefferson lived there.”
“Jefferson once said of Poplar Forest: “The best dwelling house in the state, except that of Monticello.”
“Jefferson made his last visit to Poplar Forest in 1823 after his grandson Francis W. Eppes and his wife moved there after their marriage.”
“On May 16, 2021, during my second visit to Poplar Forest, my photographer and Bob Moldenhauer walked onto the property without paying because the three of us weren’t going to tour the interior.”
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS – In January 1815, Congress paid Jefferson $23,950 for 6,487 books to replace the ones the British destroyed in 1814. Those books formed the nucleus of the current Library of Congress.
“Unfortunately, in 1851, there was a second fire in the Library of Congress that destroyed nearly two-thirds of Jefferson’s original books.”
“This bust of Thomas Jefferson resides in the Library of Congress and commemorates the contributions of the Sage of Monticello.”
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA – Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. The original governing Board of Visitors included Jefferson, James Madison, and sitting President James Monroe.
“It was awe inspiring for me to stand on ‘The Lawn’, designed by Jefferson at UVA.“
“It’s easy to see Jefferson’s architectural eye in the University’s ‘Rotunda’ design, even though he never saw it completed before his death in 1826.”
“The former third President considered the founding of the University as one of his three greatest accomplishments. In the past few years, this statue dedicated to Thomas Jefferson has been at the center of some controversy.”
MONTICELLO – Thomas Jefferson began designing and building Monticello, which is Italian for “Little Mountain”, in 1768. After Shadwell burned down in 1770, Jefferson moved to the South Pavilion of his unfinished plantation house. He lived at Monticello primarily for the rest of his life.
“The west front portico of Monticello is called “The Nickle Side” as it was depicted on the back of a U.S. five cent coin.”
“The mansion I’m standing near was the second Monticello on the site. Jefferson rebuilt the house from design ideas he acquired in Europe and construction continued throughout his Presidency.”
“When I stood on the west portico of Monticello, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.”
“Monticello was completed in 1809 with the addition of the distinctive dome above the West Portico.”
“This two-story South Pavilion building was where Thomas Jefferson and his new bride Martha lived while construction at Monticello was ongoing. The small building was given the nickname “Honeymoon Cottage”.
“While we couldn’t go inside the “Honeymoon Cottage”, my photographer held his camera to the window and snapped this image of the interior.”
“From my position on the South Pavilion, it was easy to see the West Portico of Monticello in the background.”
“Jefferson stocked this Fish Pond with fish caught in the nearby Rivanna River, where they were kept alive until needed for dinner.The view from this pond was stunning, even though pollen and pond scum had dulled the reflection.”
“This is the East Entrance to Monticello and was where visitors walked into the Entrance Hall to meet the President.”
“The doors behind me led into the Entrance Hall and where my interior tour of Monticello began.”
“Jefferson saw this very support column I’m standing on with his own eyes and perhaps he once touched it as well.”
“For years, photography was prohibited inside Monticello, but thankfully that rule was dropped before my last visit in 2021. Let’s go inside the mansion and see the world of Thomas Jefferson.”
“Once inside Entrance Hall, visitors were treated to Jefferson’s collection from the Native American culture.”
“The artifacts displayed on the opposite side of Entrance Hall depicted Jefferson’s philosophy that “knowledge is power, knowledge is safety, and knowledge is happiness.”
“I’m standing on the fireplace mantel below Gilbert Stuart’s “Edgehill Portrait” of Jefferson. This room, called the South Square Room, was primarily used as a sitting room for Jefferson’s daughter Martha.”
“Jefferson used his Library for science and study; he also designed the University of Virginia in that room. He described the college as “the hobby of my old age.”
“The Cabinet, which is where I’m standing now, was Jefferson’s modern office where he answered letters, recorded the weather, and managed his plantation.”
“Jefferson kept the marble bust in his Cabinet as well. Can you guess who it’s supposed to represent?It’s George Washington with curly hair!”
“The ‘Polygraph’, which was on the table to my right, was in Jefferson’s words: “The finest invention of the present age”. Two lead dumbbells that Jefferson used to exercise his wrists sat alongside the Polygraph.”
“Jefferson acquired his first polygraph machine in 1806 and used it until his death. Invented by John Hawkins, Jefferson used it to make identical copies of the letters he wrote.”
“I couldn’t believe it when my photographer set me on the wooden floor inside Jefferson’s Cabinet. The President’s alcove bed is in the background.”
“It was awesome to be photographed inside Jefferson’s Bed Chamber “legally”. During my first trip to Monticello on May 12, 2019, my photographer snuck a quick image and was scolded by another tourist”.
“From my position on the fireplace mantel inside Jefferson’s Bed Chamber, I had a good view of the riding boots the President once wore during his daily horseback rides.”
“This is a better view of Jefferson’s personal riding boots.”
“The Parlor inside Monticello was the center of social life as the room hosted weddings, dances, and other important events. Jefferson also used his Parlor for games, music, and general conversation.”
“I was surprised to get this close to Thomas Jefferson’s chess set inside his Parlor.”
“The Parlor was also where Jefferson displayed his vast art collection, including portraits of Sir Francis Bacon, Sir Isaac Newton, and John Locke. The President called them: “My trinity of the three greatest men the world has ever produced.”
“In the Dining Room, I had the chance to stand on the small Tilt-Top Tripod table that was fashioned out of mahogany by John Hemmings.”
“Family and guests took their meals twice a day in the Dining Room. As I stood on the table, I had wondered how many times Thomas Jefferson sat at that very table and ate his dinner.”
“Jefferson called his Tea Room his “most honorable suite” and he displayed likenesses of his friends and Revolutionary heroes there. To my left are the busts of John Paul Jones and Benjamin Franklin.”
“I’m standing in the upper-level Dome Room at Monticello. Jefferson referred to it as the “Sky Room” and it’s believed his grandchildren and nieces played there.”
“The opening of the door inside the Dome Room revealed the area where Jefferson’s nieces played.”
“The only known long-term residents of the Dome Room were Jefferson’s grandson Thomas Jefferson Randolph and his bride.”
“I visited Jefferson’s beer and wine cellar, which was located beneath the house. I nearly caught a “buzz” from being in that cellar.”
“Copper cookware could be seen in the Monticello kitchen, which was where “half Virginian, half French” cuisine was prepared by the enslaved cooks.”
“The last room I visited at Monticellowas located below Jefferson’s Bed Chamber. The small, dark room with no windows was believed to be where Sally Hemmings had lived.”
“It’s hard to explain in words the feeling I had when I stood on the ground where Thomas Jefferson once walked, worked, and rode his horse.When I stood at an area near the North Pavilion, I caught a glimpse of the University of Virginia through the trees. During his later years, Jefferson loved to look at the college he designed and founded.”
“This was the view President Jefferson had of the University of Virginia from his mountaintop estate.”
“Thomas Jefferson died in this alcove bed in his Monticello bedchamber at 12:50pm on Tuesday July 4, 1826. It was the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Declaration of Independence.Jefferson may never have known that his friend, John Adams, lay in his own deathbed and would die just over five hours later. One report of Jefferson’s last words were: “Is it the Fourth?”
MONTICELLO GRAVEYARD – Located down the mountain from Monticello, the graveyard was laid out by Jefferson himself. Earlier, Jefferson and schoolmate Dabney Carr agreed that they would be buried under a great oak tree that once stood there. Carr, who married Jefferson’s sister, died in 1773 and was the first person buried in the graveyard.
“Jefferson designed his own tombstone and the inscription on it. Of the three accomplishments listed, President of the United States was not one of them.”
“In this view of the burial ground, Jane Randolph Jefferson’s grave was located next to my left hand in the image. Jane was our third President’s mother.”
“Jane died of a stroke on March 31, 1776, just three months before her son wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence.While Thomas Jefferson wrote more than any other President in history, he rarely mentioned his mother in any of his writings.”
“When my photographer, Thomas Watson, posed at the grave of Thomas Jefferson, it was the 35th Presidential gravesite he and I had visited together.”
“The first time I visited the grave of Thomas Jefferson was on May 12, 2019 – which was the 121st anniversary of the birth of Mamie Struebing, my photographer’s grandmother.”
“My second visit came just over two years later, which was on May 17, 2021.”
JEFFERSON’S ORIGINAL TOMBSTONE – The obelisk that marked Thomas Jefferson’s grave for 50 years, from 1833 to 1883, now sits on the campus of the University of Missouri.
“The reason this obelisk was replaced was because souvenir hunters had chipped away pieces of the granite marker.”
“Who in the world would ever chip-away pieces of a Presidential grave marker?”
“This statue sits a few yards from Jefferson’s original tombstone on the campus of the University of Missouri.”
JEFFERSON MEMORIAL – Dedicated by FDR on April 13, 1943, with the statue of Jefferson added four years later, this memorial honors the third President of the United States.
“The 19-foot-tall statue of Jefferson weighs 10,000 pounds and it sure made me look like a cheap bobble head!”
“I came back in 2019 and visited the Jefferson Memorial at night.As my photographer was capturing this image, two college students standing behind Tom asked why he didn’t post his photos in a blog. The rest, as they say, is history.”
“During my May 2021 visit, I had the honor of standing on the statue, which was something I never thought I’d get to do.”
“It was an unbelievable feeling to stand at the feet of the world’s most famous Thomas Jefferson statue, and it was all thanks to Bob Moldenhauer who had the balls to place me there.”
“The interior walls of the Memorial featured some of Thomas Jefferson’s greatest written words; including an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence that can be seen to my left.”
“My photographer took this picture of the Jefferson Memorial at night in 2019.”
MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL – Located near Keystone, South Dakota, this symbol of American freedom was created by sculptor Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers from October 4, 1927 to October 31, 1941.“The sculpted likeness of Thomas Jefferson was dedicated by FDR on August 30, 1936.”
“Jefferson’s face was originally located on the left side of Washington. However, poor rock quality forced the workers to blow Jefferson’s face off the monument and position it to the right of George.”
“ThomasJefferson was chosen by Borglum because of the growth of our nation when he was President.”
“I hope you have enjoyed this presentation dedicated to my favorite President, Thomas Jefferson. Please leave me a comment – I would sincerely appreciate the feedback.”
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!
