{"id":20966,"date":"2024-02-07T22:18:58","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T03:18:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/?p=20966"},"modified":"2024-02-07T22:19:04","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T03:19:04","slug":"thomas-jefferson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/thomas-jefferson\/","title":{"rendered":"THOMAS JEFFERSON"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-1.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20967\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-1.jpg?w=889&amp;ssl=1 889w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-1.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-1.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;Thank you for checking out this blog about my travels.  And now, on to another segment of &#8216;Hail to the Chief&#8217; starring me &#8211; the most famous bobble head in the world!&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"453\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-2.jpg?resize=800%2C453&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20968\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-2.jpg?w=889&amp;ssl=1 889w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-2.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-2.jpg?resize=768%2C435&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;In this post, I proudly present to you, our Third President and my favorite President&#8230;&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-3.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20969\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-3.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-3.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-3.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;&#8230;Thomas Jefferson.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-4.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20970\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-4.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-4.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-4.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>THOMAS JEFFERSON BIRTHPLACE SITE \u2013 Located about four miles east of Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia, Shadwell Plantation was where Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743.  \u201cMost 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!&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-5.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20971\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-5.jpg?w=896&amp;ssl=1 896w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-5.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-5.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cAfter 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\u2019s birthplace.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-7.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20972\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-7.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-7.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-7.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cAfter his birth, at or near this location, Thomas Jefferson spent only two years at Shadwell before his father moved the family to Tuckahoe Plantation.<\/strong>  <strong>At the age of nine, Jefferson came back to live at Shadwell.\u00a0 However, in February 1770, the one-and-a-half story house burned to the ground.\u00a0 The 27-year-old future President moved to the nearby mountaintop and began building Monticello.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-9.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20973\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-9.jpg?w=896&amp;ssl=1 896w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-9.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-9.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI 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\u2019s birthplace.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-10.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20974\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-10.jpg?w=897&amp;ssl=1 897w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-10.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-10.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI 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\u2019t.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-11.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20975\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-11.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-11.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-11.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI was, however, able to see a small brick outbuilding that was located a short distance from the Shadwell marker.\u00a0 During my visit in 2019, I saw the same outbuilding.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-12.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20976\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-12.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-12.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-12.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cIt was an honor for me to finally stand on the ground where Thomas Jefferson was born.<\/strong> <strong> 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.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-13.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20977\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-13.jpg?w=889&amp;ssl=1 889w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-13.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-13.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>TUCKAHOE PLANTATION \u2013 Built in 1712, Tuckahoe Plantation was the boyhood home to Thomas Jefferson from 1745 to 1752.\u00a0 The home, originally owned by William Randolph III, is located about six miles west of Tuckahoe, Virginia.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-14.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20978\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-14.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-14.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-14.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cWhen William Randolph died in 1745, Peter Jefferson moved his family (including Thomas) from Shadwell to Tuckahoe to care for the Randolph\u2019s three orphaned children.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-24.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20979\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-24.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-24.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-24.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cFrom the side, it was easy to see how large the H-shaped house was.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-25.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20980\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-25.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-25.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-25.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cDuring our second visit to Tuckahoe, it was awesome as Tom, Bob, and I were the only ones there.\u00a0 That made it easier to capture our images.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-26.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20981\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-26.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-26.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-26.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cAs I stood on the concrete steps of Tuckahoe, I wondered if Jefferson had once walked on those same steps as well.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-23.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20982\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-23.jpg?w=895&amp;ssl=1 895w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-23.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-23.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;Let&#8217;s walk through the door behind me and see the interior of Tuckahoe Plantation &#8211; the boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-15.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20983\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-15.jpg?w=890&amp;ssl=1 890w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-15.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-15.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI didn\u2019t realize that I wasn\u2019t supposed to pose for photos in the front parlor of Tuckahoe.\u00a0 Oops!\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-16.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20984\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-16.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-16.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-16.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe living room where young Jefferson likely romped with his sisters and the Randolph children.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-17.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20985\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-17.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-17.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-17.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019m standing next to the original staircase at Tuckahoe.\u00a0 It was on those stairs where young Thomas Jefferson would have ascended to his bedroom.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-18.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20986\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-18.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-18.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-18.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019m in one of the upstairs bedrooms that is believed to have been the room where the future President slept while at Tuckahoe.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-19.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20987\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-19.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-19.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-19.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-20.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20988\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-20.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-20.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-20.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThis place brought new meaning to \u201cone-room schoolhouse\u201d.\u00a0 It was the smallest school I\u2019d ever seen.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-28.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20989\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-28.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-28.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-28.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;I couldn&#8217;t wait to be carried through the door behind me and into the school where Jefferson received some of his earliest education.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-21.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-21.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-21.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-21.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThomas Jefferson learned to read and write<\/strong> <strong>inside this one-room schoolhouse, and to me, that was mind blowing.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-22.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20991\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-22.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-22.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-22.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019m standing on the same floorboards that Thomas Jefferson once stood on as a youth when he attended school at Tuckahoe.<\/strong>  <strong>How awesome is that?&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-29.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20992\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-29.jpg?w=889&amp;ssl=1 889w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-29.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-29.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>NATURAL BRIDGE \u2013 A geological formation located in Rockbridge County, Virginia, Thomas Jefferson purchased 157-acres of land from King George III that included the Natural Bridge.<\/strong>  <strong>\u201cWhen Jefferson purchased this land, he called it \u201cthe most Sublime of nature\u2019s works.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-30.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20993\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-30.jpg?w=890&amp;ssl=1 890w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-30.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-30.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThomas Jefferson built a two-room cabin here and as President he surveyed the area.\u00a0 Jefferson also hosted guests here, including James Monroe and Martin Van Buren.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-31.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20994\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-31.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-31.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-31.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe arch of this natural bridge is 215 feet high with a span of 90 feet across.\u00a0 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&#8217;ve made a great quarterback in the NFL!&#8221;\u00a0<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-32.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-32.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-32.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-32.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cWhen I returned two years after my first visit to Natural Bridge, it rained during my entire stay.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-33.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20996\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-33.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-33.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-33.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>RALEIGH TAVERN \u2013 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.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-34.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20997\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-34.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-34.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-34.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe original building was burned by arsonists in 1859 and then rebuilt on the original foundation in 1931.\u00a0 The Apollo Room inside was a frequent rendezvous point for Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other patriots.<\/strong>  <strong>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.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-35.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20998\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-35.jpg?w=890&amp;ssl=1 890w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-35.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-35.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>MARTHA WAYLES SKELTON \u2013 A widow, Martha Wayles Skelton was only 23 years old when she married 28-year-old Thomas Jefferson on January 1, 1772.\u00a0 The couple exchanged wedding vows in the home of Martha\u2019s father in Charles City County, Virginia.\u00a0 Martha died at Monticello on September 6, 1782 at the age of 33.\u00a0 In her final days, Jefferson promised he would never re-marry.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-36.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20999\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-36.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-36.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-36.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>GOVERNOR\u2019S PALACE \u2013 The palace was the official residence of Virginia\u2019s Governor when the capital was in Williamsburg.\u00a0 As governor, Thomas Jefferson lived in the palace for only two years \u2013 1779 and \u201880.\u00a0 On December 22, 1781, after the capital was moved to Richmond, the Governor\u2019s Palace was destroyed by fire.\u00a0 The reconstructed building opened in 1934 on the original site.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-37.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-37.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-37.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-37.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson lived here for two years.\u00a0 In 1780, he urged the capital to be relocated to Richmond.\u00a0 He felt the capital would be safer from the British if it was further inland.<\/strong>  <strong>Patrick Henry lived in the Governor\u2019s Palace from 1776 to 1779; which was when Jefferson replaced him as governor.\u00a0 Jefferson was the last governor to live in the palace.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-38.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-38.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-38.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-38.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>CAPITOL BUILDING \u2013 Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, the Capitol was the site of Patrick Henry\u2019s speech on May 29, 1765 against the Stamp Act.\u00a0 Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, George Wythe and others played parts in legislative maneuvers that led to the revolution.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-39.jpg?resize=800%2C447&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21002\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-39.jpg?w=896&amp;ssl=1 896w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-39.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-39.jpg?resize=768%2C429&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe second Capitol Building was built in 1753 and played a huge part in America\u2019s revolution.\u00a0 It remained Virginia\u2019s Capitol until it moved to Richmond in 1780.<\/strong>  <strong>The Capitol on this site was last used as a Capitol on December 24, 1779.\u00a0 In 1832, the building was destroyed by fire; leaving no trace of the original structure.\u00a0 The current building was constructed on its footprint.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-40.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21003\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-40.jpg?w=896&amp;ssl=1 896w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-40.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-40.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cWhile 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 \u2013 with the exception of George Wythe\u2019s house.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-41.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21004\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-41.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-41.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-41.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>THE DECLARATION HOUSE \u2013 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 7<sup>th<\/sup> Street in Philadelphia.\u00a0 While in the original Graff house, 33-year-old Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-42.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21005\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-42.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-42.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-42.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cIt 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.<\/strong>  <strong>Unfortunately, the original Graff house that stood on that site was destroyed in 1883.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-43.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21006\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-43.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-43.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-43.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe 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\u2019s Declaration.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"453\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-44.jpg?resize=800%2C453&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21007\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-44.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-44.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-44.jpg?resize=768%2C435&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThomas Jefferson used this portable desk in June 1776 to write the first draft of the Declaration of Independence.\u00a0 The desk was on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-45.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21008\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-45.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-45.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-45.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cAs 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-46.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21009\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-46.jpg?w=890&amp;ssl=1 890w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-46.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-46.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;It&#8217;s unbelievable to think that Jefferson was only 33 years old when he penned the Declaration of Independence.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"453\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-47.jpg?resize=800%2C453&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-47.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-47.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-47.jpg?resize=768%2C435&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>INDEPENDENCE HALL \u2013 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.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-48.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21011\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-48.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-48.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-48.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThomas Jefferson, along with John Adams, became the only future Presidents to sign the Declaration of Independence.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-49.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-49.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-49.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-49.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cAs 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-50.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-50.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-50.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-50.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019m standing in the Assembly Room inside Independence Hall where the Second Continental Congress delegates adopted and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-51.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-51.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-51.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-51.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;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.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-52.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-52.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-52.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-52.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019m standing on the southern side of the Assembly Room where Thomas Jefferson and the other southern delegates of the Second Continental Congress sat.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"453\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-53.jpg?resize=800%2C453&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-53.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-53.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-53.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cIt was an honor for me to stand close to one of the most historically significant artifacts in the world \u2013 the original Syng inkstand from Independence Hall.<\/strong>  <strong>On August 2, 1776, Thomas Jefferson dipped his quill pen into this ink stand and signed the Declaration of Independence.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-54.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-54.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-54.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-54.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cTwo months after my visit to Independence Hall, I got a close look at Jefferson\u2019s signature on a rare authentic copy of the Declaration that was engraved on July 4, 1823.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-55.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-55.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-55.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-55.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>JEFFERSON ROCK \u2013 This natural rock formation along the Appalachian Trail in Harper\u2019s Ferry, West Virginia consisted of several masses of Harper\u2019s shale, piled one upon another, that overlooked the Shenandoah River just prior to the confluence of the Potomac River.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-56.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-56.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-56.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-56.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThis rock formation became famous when Thomas Jefferson stood there on October 25, 1783 and admired the view.<\/strong>  <strong>When Jefferson arrived at this site, he had already penned the Declaration of Independence seven years earlier.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-57.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-57.jpg?w=895&amp;ssl=1 895w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-57.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-57.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson was amazed by the natural beauty of the area and wrote in his journal: \u201cIt is as placid and delightful as (it) is wild and tremendous.\u00a0 This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-58.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-58.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-58.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-58.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>CHIMNEY POINT STATE HISTORIC SITE \u2013 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.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-59.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-59.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-59.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-59.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cSix 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-60.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-60.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-60.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-60.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson and Madison were accompanied by slaves James Hemings and Mathew.\u00a0 During their stay, Madison wrote: \u201cOn Crown Point is one family only. \u00a0On the opposite side, the country is well inhabited.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-61.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-61.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-61.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-61.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>UNITED STATES CAPITOL \u2013 Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated the third President of the United States in the Old Senate Chamber on March 4, 1801.\u00a0 It was the first Presidential\u00a0inauguration held in Washington and the first time the Marine Band played at the ceremony.\u00a0 Aaron Burr served as Jefferson\u2019s Vice President and campaign manager.<\/strong>  <strong>\u201cIn Jefferson\u2019s first inaugural address, he focused on the theme of reconciliation after his bitterly partisan election.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-62.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-62.jpg?w=895&amp;ssl=1 895w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-62.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-62.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe 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.<\/strong>&#8221;  <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-63.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21026\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-63.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-63.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-63.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;Outgoing President John Adams did not attend Jefferson\u2019s inauguration.\u00a0 Adams was distraught over losing the election to Jefferson, as well as the death of his son Charles to alcoholism.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-64.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21027\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-64.jpg?w=890&amp;ssl=1 890w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-64.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-64.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>THE WHITE HOUSE \u2013 Thomas Jefferson lived in the White House as our third President from 1801 to 1809.\u00a0 During his Presidency, he finalized the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and spearheaded the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-65.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21028\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-65.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-65.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-65.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cWhile serving as President, Jefferson used the Green Room in the White House as his dining room.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-66.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-66.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-66.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-66.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cDuring my visit to the White House on May 15, 2019, I was awestruck to see Jefferson\u2019s portrait hanging front and center in the Blue Room.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-67.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21030\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-67.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-67.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-67.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>MARTHA JEFFERSON RANDOLPH \u2013 The eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson, \u201cPatsy\u201d filled the role as White House hostess.\u00a0 But she was more than that.\u00a0 She was the emotional foundation that supported Jefferson\u2019s role as President and became a significant influence during his tumultuous political life.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-68.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21031\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-68.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-68.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-68.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019m standing next to a pair of Thomas Jefferson\u2019s reading glasses he used in 1806 while serving as President.<\/strong>  <strong>Jefferson once wrote: \u201cI use spectacles at night, but not necessarily in the day, unless in reading small print.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-69.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-69.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-69.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-69.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>JEFFERSON PIER \u2013 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\u2019s House.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-70.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21033\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-70.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-70.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-70.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe three-foot tall granite monolith I\u2019m 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.<\/strong>  <strong>Just after my photographer adjusted my head for this image, the spring in my neck broke and my head fell off.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-71.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21034\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-71.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-71.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-71.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cTalk about embarrassing!\u00a0 For the second time in nine years, I was headless.\u00a0 The bad thing was, there were hundreds of tourists around who saw me.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-72.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-72.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-72.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-72.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI had a spectacular look at the illuminated Jefferson Memorial the night before my head fell off.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-73.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21038\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-73.jpg?w=890&amp;ssl=1 890w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-73.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-73.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>UNITED STATES CAPITOL \u2013 On March 4, 1805, Jefferson was back in the Senate Chamber for his second inauguration.\u00a0 Due to Jefferson&#8217;s growing dislike for Aaron Burr, the Vice President during Jefferson\u2019s first term, Burr was replaced as V.P. with Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina.<\/strong>  <strong>\u201cDuring 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-83.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21040\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-83.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-83.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-83.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>POPLAR FOREST \u2013 Construction began on Jefferson\u2019s retreat house, located near Forest, Virginia, in 1806 while he was still President.\u00a0 The octagonal design of Poplar Forest may have been the first of its kind built in the United States.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-74.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21039\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-74.jpg?w=890&amp;ssl=1 890w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-74.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-74.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;When Jefferson\u2019s retreat house was completed in 1816, his visits lasted from a few days to weeks.\u00a0 He first begun annual visits to the home in 1810 to orchestrate the construction.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-75.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21042\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-75.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-75.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-75.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019m standing alongside a tree that was alive when Jefferson lived at Poplar Forest.\u00a0 The two windows to the right of the entrance are at Jefferson\u2019s bedchamber.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-80.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-80.jpg?w=889&amp;ssl=1 889w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-80.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-80.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;Are you ready to see the interior of Jefferson&#8217;s Poplar Forest?&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-76.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21046\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-76.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-76.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-76.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe room I\u2019m standing in once served as Jefferson\u2019s bedchamber at Poplar Forest.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-77.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21047\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-77.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-77.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-77.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe eight walls of this room were very evident of Jefferson\u2019s architectural design.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-78.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21048\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-78.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-78.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-78.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019m standing on original brickwork and near the only fireplace that was at Poplar Forest when Jefferson lived there.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-82.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-82.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-82.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-82.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson once said of Poplar Forest: \u201cThe best dwelling house in the state, except that of Monticello.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-85.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-85.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-85.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-85.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson made his last visit to Poplar Forest in 1823 after his grandson Francis W. Eppes and his wife moved there after their marriage.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-84.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21049\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-84.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-84.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-84.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cOn 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\u2019t going to tour the interior.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-87.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21050\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-87.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-87.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-87.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>LIBRARY OF CONGRESS \u2013 In January 1815, Congress paid Jefferson $23,950 for 6,487 books to replace the ones the British destroyed in 1814.\u00a0 Those books formed the nucleus of the current Library of Congress.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-88.jpg?resize=800%2C447&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21051\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-88.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-88.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-88.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cUnfortunately, in 1851, there was a second fire in the Library of Congress that destroyed nearly two-thirds of Jefferson\u2019s original books.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-89.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21052\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-89.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-89.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-89.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThis bust of Thomas Jefferson resides in the Library of Congress and commemorates the contributions of the Sage of Monticello.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-90.jpg?resize=800%2C447&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21053\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-90.jpg?w=896&amp;ssl=1 896w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-90.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-90.jpg?resize=768%2C429&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA \u2013 Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson.\u00a0 The original governing Board of Visitors included Jefferson, James Madison, and sitting President James Monroe.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-91.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21054\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-91.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-91.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-91.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cIt was awe inspiring for me to stand on \u2018The Lawn\u2019, designed by Jefferson at UVA<\/strong>.<strong>&#8220;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"454\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-92.jpg?resize=800%2C454&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21055\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-92.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-92.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-92.jpg?resize=768%2C436&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cIt\u2019s easy to see Jefferson\u2019s architectural eye in the University\u2019s \u2018Rotunda\u2019 design, even though he never saw it completed before his death in 1826.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-93.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21056\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-93.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-93.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-93.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong> &#8220;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.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-94.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21057\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-94.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-94.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-94.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>MONTICELLO \u2013 Thomas Jefferson began designing and building Monticello, which is Italian for \u201cLittle Mountain\u201d, in 1768.\u00a0 After Shadwell burned down in 1770, Jefferson moved to the South Pavilion of his unfinished plantation house.\u00a0 He lived at Monticello primarily for the rest of his life.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-95.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-95.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-95.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-95.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe west front portico of Monticello is called \u201cThe Nickle Side\u201d as it was depicted on the back of a U.S. five cent coin.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-96.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21059\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-96.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-96.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-96.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe mansion I\u2019m standing near was the second Monticello on the site.\u00a0 Jefferson rebuilt the house from design ideas he acquired in Europe and construction continued throughout his Presidency.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-97.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21060\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-97.jpg?w=890&amp;ssl=1 890w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-97.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-97.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cWhen I stood on the west portico of Monticello, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn\u2019t dreaming.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-98.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21061\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-98.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-98.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-98.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cMonticello was completed in 1809 with the addition of the distinctive dome above the West Portico.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-99.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21062\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-99.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-99.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-99.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThis two-story South Pavilion building was where Thomas Jefferson and his new bride Martha lived while construction at Monticello was ongoing.\u00a0 The small building was given the nickname \u201cHoneymoon Cottage\u201d.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-100.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-100.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-100.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-100.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;While we couldn&#8217;t go inside the &#8220;Honeymoon Cottage&#8221;, my photographer held his camera to the window and snapped this image of the interior.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-101.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-101.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-101.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-101.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cFrom my position on the South Pavilion, it was easy to see the West Portico of Monticello in the background.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-106.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21065\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-106.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-106.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-106.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson stocked this Fish Pond with fish caught in the nearby Rivanna River, where they were kept alive until needed for dinner.<\/strong>  <strong>The view from this pond was stunning, even though pollen and pond scum had dulled the reflection.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-102.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-102.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-102.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-102.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThis is the East Entrance to Monticello and was where visitors walked into the Entrance Hall to meet the President.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-103.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-103.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-103.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-103.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe doors behind me led into the Entrance Hall and where my interior tour of Monticello began.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-104.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-104.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-104.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-104.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;Jefferson saw this very support column I&#8217;m standing on with his own eyes and perhaps he once touched it as well.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-105.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-105.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-105.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-105.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;For years, photography was prohibited inside Monticello, but thankfully that rule was dropped before my last visit in 2021.  Let&#8217;s go inside the mansion and see the world of Thomas Jefferson.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-108.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21070\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-108.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-108.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-108.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cOnce inside Entrance Hall, visitors were treated to Jefferson\u2019s collection from the Native American culture.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-109.jpg?resize=800%2C447&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-109.jpg?w=895&amp;ssl=1 895w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-109.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-109.jpg?resize=768%2C429&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe artifacts displayed on the opposite side of Entrance Hall depicted Jefferson\u2019s philosophy that \u201cknowledge is power, knowledge is safety, and knowledge is happiness.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-110.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-110.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-110.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-110.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019m standing on the fireplace mantel below Gilbert Stuart\u2019s \u201cEdgehill Portrait\u201d of Jefferson.\u00a0 This room, called the South Square Room, was primarily used as a sitting room for Jefferson\u2019s daughter Martha.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"446\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-111.jpg?resize=800%2C446&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21073\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-111.jpg?w=897&amp;ssl=1 897w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-111.jpg?resize=300%2C167&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-111.jpg?resize=768%2C428&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson used his Library for science and study; he also designed the University of Virginia in that room.\u00a0 He described the college as \u201cthe hobby of my old age.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-112.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21074\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-112.jpg?w=895&amp;ssl=1 895w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-112.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-112.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe Cabinet, which is where I\u2019m standing now, was Jefferson\u2019s modern office where he answered letters, recorded the weather, and managed his plantation.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-113.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-113.jpg?w=895&amp;ssl=1 895w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-113.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-113.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson kept the marble bust in his Cabinet as well.\u00a0 Can you guess who it\u2019s supposed to represent?<\/strong> <strong>It\u2019s George Washington with curly hair!\u201d<\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-114.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-114.jpg?w=897&amp;ssl=1 897w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-114.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-114.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe \u2018Polygraph\u2019, which was on the table to my right, was in Jefferson\u2019s words: \u201cThe finest invention of the present age\u201d.\u00a0 Two lead dumbbells that Jefferson used to exercise his wrists sat alongside the Polygraph.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-115.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-115.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-115.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-115.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson acquired his first polygraph machine in 1806 and used it until his death.\u00a0 Invented by John Hawkins, Jefferson used it to make identical copies of the letters he wrote.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-116.jpg?resize=800%2C447&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21078\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-116.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-116.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-116.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI couldn\u2019t believe it when my photographer set me on the wooden floor inside Jefferson\u2019s Cabinet.\u00a0 The President\u2019s alcove bed is in the background.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-117.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-117.jpg?w=895&amp;ssl=1 895w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-117.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-117.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cIt was awesome to be photographed inside Jefferson\u2019s Bed Chamber \u201clegally\u201d.\u00a0 During my first trip to Monticello on May 12,\u00a02019, my photographer snuck a quick image and was scolded by another tourist\u201d.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-118.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-118.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-118.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-118.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cFrom my position on the fireplace mantel inside Jefferson\u2019s Bed Chamber, I had a good view of the riding boots the President once wore during his daily horseback rides.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-119.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-119.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-119.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-119.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;This is a better view of Jefferson&#8217;s personal riding boots.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-120.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-120.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-120.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-120.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe Parlor inside Monticello was the center of social life as the room hosted weddings, dances, and other important events.\u00a0 Jefferson also used his Parlor for games, music, and general conversation.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-121.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21083\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-121.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-121.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-121.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI was surprised to get this close to Thomas Jefferson\u2019s chess set inside his Parlor.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-122.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-122.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-122.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-122.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe Parlor was also where Jefferson displayed his vast art collection, including portraits of Sir Francis Bacon, Sir Isaac Newton, and John Locke.\u00a0 The President called them: \u201cMy trinity of the three greatest men the world has ever produced.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-123.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-123.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-123.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-123.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-124.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-124.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-124.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-124.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cFamily and guests took their meals twice a day in the Dining Room.\u00a0 As I stood on the table, I had wondered how many times Thomas Jefferson sat at that very table and ate his dinner.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-125.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-125.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-125.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-125.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson called his Tea Room his \u201cmost honorable suite\u201d and he displayed likenesses of his friends and Revolutionary heroes there.\u00a0 To my left are the busts of John Paul Jones and Benjamin Franklin.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-126.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-126.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-126.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-126.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019m standing in the upper-level Dome Room at Monticello.\u00a0 Jefferson referred to it as the \u201cSky Room\u201d and it\u2019s believed his grandchildren and nieces played there.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-127.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-127.jpg?w=895&amp;ssl=1 895w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-127.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-127.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe opening of the door inside the Dome Room revealed the area where Jefferson\u2019s nieces played.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-128.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21090\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-128.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-128.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-128.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe only known long-term residents of the Dome Room were Jefferson\u2019s grandson Thomas Jefferson Randolph and his bride.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-129.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21091\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-129.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-129.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-129.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI visited Jefferson\u2019s beer and wine cellar, which was located beneath the house.\u00a0 I nearly caught a \u201cbuzz\u201d from being in that cellar.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-130.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-130.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-130.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-130.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cCopper cookware could be seen in the Monticello kitchen, which was where \u201chalf Virginian, half French\u201d cuisine was prepared by the enslaved cooks.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-131.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-131.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-131.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-131.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe last room I visited <strong>at Monticello<\/strong><\/strong> <strong>was located below Jefferson\u2019s Bed Chamber.\u00a0 The small, dark room with no windows was believed to be where Sally Hemmings had lived.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-134.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-134.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-134.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-134.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cIt\u2019s 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.<\/strong>  <strong>When I stood at an area near the North Pavilion, I caught a glimpse of the University of Virginia through the trees.\u00a0 During his later years, Jefferson loved to look at the college he designed and founded.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-135.jpg?resize=800%2C447&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21095\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-135.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-135.jpg?resize=300%2C167&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-135.jpg?resize=768%2C429&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;This was the view President Jefferson had of the University of Virginia from his mountaintop estate.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-133.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-133.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-133.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-133.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThomas Jefferson died in this alcove bed in his Monticello bedchamber at 12:50pm on Tuesday July 4, 1826.\u00a0 It was the 50<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of the passage of the Declaration of Independence.<\/strong>  <strong>Jefferson may never have known that his friend, John Adams, lay in his own deathbed and would die just over five hours later.\u00a0 One report of Jefferson\u2019s last words were: \u201cIs it the Fourth?\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-136.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-136.jpg?w=890&amp;ssl=1 890w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-136.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-136.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>MONTICELLO GRAVEYARD \u2013 Located down the mountain from Monticello, the graveyard was laid out by Jefferson himself.\u00a0 Earlier, Jefferson and schoolmate Dabney Carr agreed that they would be buried under a great oak tree that once stood there.\u00a0 Carr, who married Jefferson\u2019s sister, died in 1773 and was the first person buried in the graveyard.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-137.jpg?resize=800%2C452&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21098\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-137.jpg?w=889&amp;ssl=1 889w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-137.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-137.jpg?resize=768%2C434&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson designed his own tombstone and the inscription on it.\u00a0 Of the three accomplishments listed, President of the United States was not one of them.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-138.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21099\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-138.jpg?w=890&amp;ssl=1 890w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-138.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-138.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cIn this view of the burial ground, Jane Randolph Jefferson\u2019s grave was located next to my left hand in the image.\u00a0 Jane was our third President\u2019s mother.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-139.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-139.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-139.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-139.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJane died of a stroke on March 31, 1776, just three months before her son wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence.<\/strong>  <strong>While Thomas Jefferson wrote more than any other President in history, he rarely mentioned his mother in any of his writings.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-140.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21101\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-140.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-140.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-140.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;When my photographer, Thomas Watson, posed at the grave of Thomas Jefferson, it was the 35th Presidential gravesite he and I had visited together.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-141.jpg?resize=800%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21102\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-141.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-141.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-141.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;The first time I visited the grave of Thomas Jefferson was on May 12, 2019 &#8211; which was the 121st anniversary of the birth of Mamie Struebing, my photographer&#8217;s grandmother.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-142.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21103\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-142.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-142.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-142.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;My second visit came just over two years later, which was on May 17, 2021.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-143.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-143.jpg?w=896&amp;ssl=1 896w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-143.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-143.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>JEFFERSON\u2019S ORIGINAL TOMBSTONE \u2013 The obelisk that marked Thomas Jefferson\u2019s grave for 50 years, from 1833 to 1883, now sits on the campus of the University of Missouri.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-144.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-144.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-144.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-144.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe reason this obelisk was replaced was because souvenir hunters had chipped away pieces of the granite marker.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-145.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21106\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-145.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-145.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-145.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cWho in the world would ever chip-away pieces of a Presidential grave marker?\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-146.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-146.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-146.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-146.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThis statue sits a few yards from Jefferson\u2019s original tombstone on the campus of the University of Missouri.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-147.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-147.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-147.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-147.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>JEFFERSON MEMORIAL \u2013 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.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-148.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21109\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-148.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-148.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-148.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe 19-foot-tall statue of Jefferson weighs 10,000 pounds and it sure made me look like a cheap bobble head!\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-149.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-149.jpg?w=894&amp;ssl=1 894w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-149.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-149.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cI came back in 2019 and visited the Jefferson Memorial at night.<\/strong>  <strong>As my photographer was capturing this image, two college students standing behind Tom asked why he didn&#8217;t post his photos in a blog.  The rest, as they say, is history.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-150.jpg?resize=800%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-150.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-150.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-150.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cDuring my May 2021 visit, I had the honor of standing on the statue, which was something I never thought I&#8217;d get to do.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"446\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-151.jpg?resize=800%2C446&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-151.jpg?w=895&amp;ssl=1 895w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-151.jpg?resize=300%2C167&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-151.jpg?resize=768%2C428&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cIt was an unbelievable feeling to stand at the feet of the world\u2019s most famous Thomas Jefferson statue, and it was all thanks to Bob Moldenhauer who had the balls to place me there.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-153.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-153.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-153.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-153.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cThe interior walls of the Memorial featured some of Thomas Jefferson\u2019s greatest written words; including an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence that can be seen to my left.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-154.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-154.jpg?w=895&amp;ssl=1 895w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-154.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-154.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;My photographer took this picture of the Jefferson Memorial at night in 2019.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-155.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-155.jpg?w=892&amp;ssl=1 892w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-155.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-155.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL \u2013 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.<\/strong>  <strong>\u201cThe sculpted likeness of Thomas Jefferson was dedicated by FDR on August 30, 1936.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-156.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-156.jpg?w=893&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-156.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-156.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cJefferson\u2019s face was originally located on the left side of Washington.\u00a0 However, poor rock quality forced the workers to blow Jefferson\u2019s face off the monument and position it to the right of George.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-157.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-157.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-157.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-157.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;Thomas<\/strong> <strong>Jefferson was chosen by Borglum because of the growth of our nation when he was President.\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-158.jpg?resize=800%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-158.jpg?w=891&amp;ssl=1 891w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-158.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/JEFFERSON-158.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;I hope you have enjoyed this presentation dedicated to my favorite President, Thomas Jefferson.  Please leave me a comment &#8211; I would sincerely appreciate the feedback.&#8221;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[3105,1867,3104,25,136,2374],"class_list":["post-20966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-a-tribute-to-thomas-jefferson","tag-hail-to-the-chief","tag-the-life-and-times-of-thomas-jefferson","tag-thomas-jefferson","tag-thomas-jefferson-bobble-head","tag-thomas-watson"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20966"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20966\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21120,"href":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20966\/revisions\/21120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyesofjefferson.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}