An Unplanned Tour of a Founding Father’s Kitchen

Last week Jim and I went to Charlottesville, VA for an Arcade Fire concert.  (A fantastic show, by the way.)  After realizing how close we were to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s estate, we decided to make an unplanned visit.  

Wow.  What a treat.  Despite the 100°+ heat index, we strolled by the gardens,

toured the house,  (taking photos inside is prohibited)

and wandered among the basement hallways and rooms.  Cameras were permitted there which was exciting for me because that’s where the kitchen was located.

(By this point, Jim was over the kitchen and had moved on to the smokehouse room.)

I appreciate that the scene was staged like with like, but I would love to have seen this place in action in its time.  Preparing and serving meals to Jefferson’s dinner guests was an impressive behind-the-scenes production.  (More on that in my next post.)

Of course there is so much more to Monticello than the kitchen and food service.  There’s a museum, a theater, his grave, beautiful scenery, a plantation tour, and the sense of being on such historic ground.  Thomas Jefferson was fascinating man and certainly one of the “early-adopters” of his time.  I have no doubt if he were around today, he’d have the newest coolest gadgets long before we ever would.

If you ever have the opportunity, I recommend making the trip to Monticello.  The museum & theater are free and the tour is only $22, but the view from the gardens is worth that much in and of itself.  Also worth noting (in my opinion) are the selections at the on-site cafe: fresh fruit & vegetables, salads, hummus, string cheese, etc.  I was more than impressed.  

And if you can’t get enough of all things Tommy J, swing by the University of Virginia’s campus and take a stroll through the Rotunda there.  

Have you ever made a road trip detour?  Was yours as successful?  What was your focus?  Have you been to Monticello?  What was your favorite part?