I am Thomas Jefferson’s biggest fan!  If I could go back in time, I’d go to the day the Declaration of Independence was signed so I could meet him.  He wrote the Declaration of Independence! I have a copy of it! I love when he said “I cannot live without books!” I can’t live without books either!  I have a pencil that says this. I got the pencil from Monticello.  He sold his 6,700 book library to Congress.

I know Thomas Jefferson like the back of my hand! In school last year, we got to do a project on a former President.  I wanted to get Thomas Jefferson so bad.  I got him! When I got in the car, I told my mom. We yelled and cheered because we were so excited.

Thomas Jefferson was President of the United States from 1801-1809 and had two Vice Presidents. He was the first U.S. Secretary of State. He was Governor of Virginia in 1779.  He founded the University of Virginia.  My family lives part-time in Charlottesville, Virginia and that is where I want to go to college. We like to have picnics on the lawn next to the Rotunda.  It has some great big trees for good shade. I like to read in the Rotunda too.

August 2017, UVA Rotunda, Reading after a picnic

Ok, back to Thomas Jefferson.

Did you know that he stole rice from Italy? He did this to help America.  I learned that from Mysteries at the Museum on the Travel Channel.  My parents let me watch that show.

Thomas Jefferson had a hummingbird. It was on his shoulder while he worked. He also had a mockingbird in Monticello.  He launched the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1803 to the northwest.

Jefferson was a great President for our country and he did good things. I think that it was hard to do all these interesting things but he was brave.

I have visited his house four times.  My mom loves it too but says she needs a break from it. I don’t! But the last time we went she made me take notes for this blog.  Monticello is in Charlottesville, Virginia. Do not go to Charlottesville without going to Monticello. You have to go! I mean it’s the house Thomas Jefferson built! I just can’t believe I have stood where Thomas Jefferson has stood. It is just so unbelievable.

My favorite time to go to Monticello is spring so Tom’s tulips are blooming. He had so many flowers and a huge garden.  You can walk through the garden and see all of the different plants growing.  If you stand at one spot, you can see the University of Virginia.  This is so TJ could keep an eye on it.  We really like the willow oak tree by the pond.  It is a shady peaceful place to sit.  The view from the vegetable garden is beautiful!  I love to just walk around the grounds. It makes me feel calm.  The house tour gives you just enough information but not so much that you get overwhelmed. Be sure to visit the museum after the house. You can walk down a really nice shady trail to the museum and shop.

I hope you will take your family and children to Monticello.  Thank you for reading my blog about Thomas Jefferson. Our family says that history never grows old.  And like I always say “history is a mystery until you read about it.’’

From Lucinda (8 years old, artist and history hunter)