Thomas Jefferson was born April 13, 1743 at Shadwell in Virginia. Interesting that a man who drafted our Declaration of Independence, became our 3rd President and founded the University of Virginia decided to live in the Charlottesville Real Estate area.

Certainly he could have lived anywhere as he traveled overseas as Secretary of State and had intimate knowledge of the United States as he was the one who sent Lewis and Clark to map out the west. He had a better knowledge of the world and the Untied States than most people do today.

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Jefferson built his home, Monticello within a few miles of his birth place overlooking Charlottesville and the University of Virginia. The drive to Monticello is almost a step back in time. You can imagine riding a carriage or house to the property in the hills in the Virginia countryside.

When you visit Monticello, you can see the University of Virginia from his grounds just as he did when it was being built. The moment you enter you see several of his accomplishments and his inventions. I will not spoil the tour by giving away the details but you will be very surprised at all the things he did!

There are several tours of Monticello including the house, gardens and plantation. The house tour is my personal favorite as seeing his desk, bedroom and library are amazing.

He was certainly honored in life and his memories and influence are still with us today. When you see columns on homes or in front of buildings in a city, think of Jefferson. He brought this influence back from his travels abroad. When you read or hear of the Declaration of Independence, think of Jefferson. When you visit Charlottesville and see the University of Virginia, think of Jefferson.

When her died on July 4th, 1826 he wanted his tombstone to reflect the things he had given to people and not what was given to him. Below is what is written on his tombstone:

HERE WAS BURIED

THOMAS JEFFERSON

AUTHOR OF THE

DECLARATION

OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

OF THE

STATUTE OF VIRGINIA

FOR

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

AND FATHER OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

BORN APRIL 2, 1743

DIED JULY 4. 1826