February, 1907 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



63 



Monticello 



By Waldon Fawcett 



HERE is not, in all probability, in the entire 

 South a Colonial estate which retains all its 

 pristine beauty in greater degree than does 

 Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's noble coun- 

 try seat in central Virginia, the scene of the 

 private life of the author of the Declaration 

 of Independence. Aside from its historic 

 associations, Monticello is, next to Mount Vernon, the most 

 interesting private habitation in America. 7 his classic man- 

 sion is well worthy of attention as an architectural master- 

 piece, and ranks as the finest remaining example of the old 

 Southern-plantation manor-house of the Revolution. 



The nucleus of Thomas Jefferson's Virginia estate he 

 inherited from his father, the tract comprising one thousand 

 nine hundred acres. To this extensive additions were made 

 by purchase, and the aggregate acreage was further increased 

 by several fine farms that came to Jefferson as his wife's 

 dower. During the major portion of Thomas Jefferson's 

 period of occupancy the Monticello estate comprised con- 



siderably more than five thousand acres, but during most of 

 the time only one thousand one hundred acres were farmed. 



The estate is located in the broken and picturesque Pied- 

 mont region of the Old Dominion, and the manor-house at 

 Monticello is a landmark for the entire countryside and the 

 nearest town. It may be seen clearly outlined against the 

 sky from Charlottesville, three miles away. While yet a 

 student Jefferson chose one of the boldest mountains in his 

 estate for his permanent home, and on this summit, which 

 he named Monticello — the Italian for "little mountain" — he 

 cleared and leveled a site of ten acres, upon which he built 

 from his own plans the stately and magnificent mansion 

 which stands to this day in a perfect state of preservation. 



The present-day visitor to Monticello, like the pilgrim 

 of a century ago, enters the grounds at the rear, in an open 

 native woodland, and a sharp climb is required to reach the 

 elevation on which the house is located. Once this eminence 

 is attained, however, it is easy to appreciate why Jefferson 

 chose this site. 1 he magnificent panorama which lies 



East and West, " Monticello " Has a Great Portico 



