The Washington herald., 1912-10-27
Monticello as It's To-day
Resembles Estate When It
Vas Occupied BY Jefferson

4 .af
tate. b willing to allow gsnsrous accssl
Ito Monticello. ana himsslk and through hi
employees. gives up his time to conduc
the visitors through the mansion ant
exhibit and explain the wonderful col
lection OF curios. why should the govern
ment take upon itself burden that woul<
not compensate in benefit to the public ID
great cost?
Treasures Guarded.
Naturally. the present owner who
has in this wonderful collection antiqus
Of great individual value that could no,
be replaced II destroyed. would safe
guard them ~ jealously as could the gov.
ernment. Monticello Is saved to the peo.
pie of the United States and there hai
been nothing that would indicate that itl
owner would now or in the future exclude
those pilgrims who 90 there to pay HON.
Independents.
| But what I appreciate about Monti.
cello Is the home atmosphere that Il
maintained. fostering the illusion Of the
presence Of Jefferson'g spirit It II pat
ent to the most casual observer that
| what is done elsewhere for hire Is done
at Monticello out OF affection and venera-
ton for Jefferson's memory"
A visit to Monticello 10 apt to dispel
any preconceived ideas as to Jeffersonian
simplicity. for 1t l. only too evident that
the mansion was very. elaborate and
luxurious residence for those days. II
was a century ahead Of its time In con-
veniences and ingenious contrivances.
Many big architect of to-day has copied
Its designs in part or whole in building
country houses for wealthy Americans.
1t was Jefferson's hobby from boyhood
to have home on top Of mountain, and
SO when he came into possession OF the
little mountain overshadowing the valley
OF the Rivana River he set to work to
level on the top to make a plateau for his
house to rest on. It took ten years OF
hard work to accomplish this and make
a suitable site and seven years more to
build the house Every bit Of timber used
In the construction of the house was Ia
boriously hauled up the mountain to be
sawed and hewed and finished to ft its
place in the plans. The bricks were made
on the grounds, the nails were wrought
in a forge built by Jefferson and skilled
artisans were brought from Europe to
direct the building operations and train
the slaves and native workmen.
Rests ON Plateau.
Monticello lies about two miles south
and five west of the busy little town Of
Charlottesville and 1t is up grade all the
way. From close to the town boundary
hundreds Of acres on both sides Of the
road have been bought by Mr.. Levy ito
prevent" as he puts 1t, the building Of
any chacks on the approach OF Month
cello" For three miles this road. which
was surveyed by Jefferson. turns and
twists and climbs the mountainside be-
fore the lodge gates are reached.
A few yards inside the gates hangs .
big brass bell that Jefferson placed there
to announce the arrival Of guests to the
big house above" For q century and a
half this custom has been preserved Of
ringing the bell both day and night when
ever any one passes through the gates.
THE Presidents Walk leads to the main
grounds on the plateau, where a beautiful
vista il disclosed. There are trim lawns.
well kept hedges and trees and massive
urns made by Europes best workmen.
The trees that were planted by JefYer-
son have been carefully hurtured and pre-
served.
A spacious veranda with tessellated floor
leads to the reception hall. which is a
ceol and stately room. so large In fact
and with such huge door that a coach
and four could easily be driven through
II. Just at the entrance deeply cut into
the floor is the print Of a horses hoof
that was made when the British general.