Jefferson’s Virginia
It is one thing to read about Thomas Jefferson, either in his own words or in the history and opinions written by others, but it is an entirely different and far more vivid experience to actually “see” Mr. Jefferson by visiting the scenes and places where he was present. Laura Macaluso’s welcomed addition to the already vast bibliography of books about Thomas Jefferson allows one to actually seek out and discover the settings and buildings in which the presence of the man may still be felt.
Herein, Ms. Macaluso’s work provides us with a virtual itinerary of places to visit where we may envision Thomas Jefferson in his day-to-day world, from his early childhood through the last years of his life. Her chapters present the places that are both well known and out of the way. Different from many other works on the life of Mr. Jefferson, we become the master within these pages to map our own course in pursuit of a more intimate association with Jefferson and his beloved Virginia. For the first time, many places merely referred to in other books are now more fully revealed both in print and picture, encouraging us to visit these little-known sites connected with Jefferson’s life. In so doing, we uncover the veil of the passing of time to see that a majority of sites and locations, with their ageless ambiance, remain unchanged. In these pages, we gain a better sense of place in Jefferson’s world; we can grasp more readily his lifelong quest to establish a universal suffrage through educated citizenship.
From his childhood years at Shadwell Farm and Tuckahoe Plantation, through to his adolescence and young adulthood in Williamsburg, Virginia, Ms. Macaluso takes us to the integral sites of Jefferson’s first cognizances and years of early enlightenment, and we enter into the buildings he knew and inhabited. We visit with his friends James Madison, James Monroe, James Barbour and others at their own homes. We become familiar, as he was, with the finest libraries in Virginia and are able to gain a better understanding of the sources for his only published narrative, Notes on the State of Virginia. Accordingly, Ms. Macaluso provides us with the information to visit the settlements, cities, towns, mountains and rivers, along with the resources for references within Jefferson’s Notes, to become familiar with the flora and fauna of Virginia and the diversity of population within the former colony and young Commonwealth of Virginia.
Best of all, we are able to have an in-depth visit at Poplar Forest, Mr. Jefferson’s “Retreat House,” where he went to escape the onslaught of “curiosity seekers” who besieged him at Monticello. It was at Poplar Forest that Jefferson could feel the most intimate and secure with family and friends, a place where he said, “I may go to read, to write, but most importantly, a place where I may think.” Imagine the need in Mr. Jefferson’s mind to get away in the four-mile-per-hour world in which he lived, simply to be able to think more profoundly. At Poplar Forest, we are able to see that more private Mr. Jefferson. We are better able to acquaint ourselves with the man as a “private citizen” and his innate love of agriculture, husbandry and his lifelong pursuit of maintaining good health.
This work is complete with directions and information on the final resting places of Thomas Jefferson and his friends. This supports the sentiments of Jefferson, the man, in his wishes to be buried among his native woods and fields, for nowhere else could take its place. Laura Macaluso’s book helps us to take our place in Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia. It prepares us well and supports our journey into the private world of a man who was a living legend in his own times. For those who have yet to be introduced to Thomas Jefferson, may this book prove a happy meeting. For those already grounded in Jefferson studies, may this be a delightful refresher and open new doors for a more intimate relationship with the man and the myth.
—Bill Barker
There is a place called “Jefferson Country.” I first learned of it when my husband accepted a position working for Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest in 2012. As Connecticut Yankees, we were unexpectedly part of a network of places associated with this iconic man and his life and legacy in the Piedmont region of central Virginia. As it turns out, Jefferson Country is both a geographic locale and a sensibility about what it means to be a Virginian—and an American. Thomas Jefferson himself is behind this approach to living and appears in all sorts of circumstances, from historic sites to the names of plazas—and even to the name of a burger on the menu of a local restaurant. There are bronze monuments, historic markers and paintings of him everywhere, not to mention numerous historic sites and landscapes associated with him, many of which are the subject of this book. His memory and presence is curated and cultivated in central Virginia and represents an idealized version of living via the Enlightenment, with an emphasis on education, reasoned thinking and an appreciation for nature.
Jefferson Country is not without its problems, however. Within the picture of refined red brick buildings with creamy white classical columns and against the verdant rolling landscape and the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are generations of people for whom the phrase “Jefferson Country” meant only enslavement and, later, a life constrained by post-Reconstruction practices that pulled back on new freedoms for African Americans and created a segregated society that lasted another one hundred years, the effects of which everyone struggles with today.
— Laura A. Macaluso, Ph.D.
Q&A with the Author
What made you want to write this book?
I moved to Virginia in 2012 and thus five years had passed, which is a nice chunk of time to take a step back and look over the past five years. I said to myself “how can I bring together my experiences over these past five years and contribute something to this state and the Jefferson story?” But, after my book proposal was accepted in mid-2017, American culture and society took a big hit when the “Unite the Right” rally of white nationalists used the Jefferson monument on the campus of UVA as a focal point on the evening of August 11, 2017. The next day, a young woman died at the peace rally that came together to repudiate what had happened the night before. I did not imagine, when moving to Virginia in 2012, that the United States would be embroiled in such things. But, here we are, and Thomas Jefferson is involved. So, I feel that this book is some small contribution to moving American culture in a better direction—a direction in which, as Jefferson wrote to John Adams, “bigotry is the disease of ignorance, of morbid minds…education and free discussion are the antidotes of both.”
How will learning about the important places and sites in Jefferson’s life help us understand him better?
As Mark Twain, who, early in his career wrote under the pen name of Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass, said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice.” My husband and I are huge fans of both Twain and Jefferson, and have been fortunate to be associated with their houses and with visiting all sorts of historic sites, landscapes and places, to see and hear about what makes a place special. To me there is nothing more exciting than visiting a new place, and getting a feel for the place by walking and seeing with my own eyes both the big picture and the smallest details.
Because we’re Americans, we’ve also been lucky to drive into special places—such as the Blue Ridge Parkway. So, there are many different ways to experience sense of place. For me, I can still remember visiting some of the Jefferson sites for the first time. It was a bit like falling in love. How different the history and landscape of Virginia is from where I grew up and lived in Connecticut! I still get that sense of awe and excitement when visiting Jefferson sites such as Monticello, the Peaks of Otter and even driving up to Poplar Forest and seeing the octagon house come into view. The beauty of these places is remarkable and never fails to floor me. My wish is that all Americans could visit these places, to be a part of the history and beauty of each site, and to learn just a little bit more of Jefferson and history with each visit. The process of learning never stops, so, with each site visit, your knowledge grows, as well as a sense of building a relationship—with people and with place.
How should the reader approach/use this book?
I hope the book inspires readers to want to visit more historic places and landscapes. Many people are familiar with Monticello, but, why not do the extra drive and get yourself to Poplar Forest? Likewise, you may have done the Blue Ridge Parkway drive, but, have you climbed yet to Sharp Top at the Peaks of Otter? Each place promises great views and great history. The reader can dip in and out of the book as desired, and put together his/her own tour—maybe visiting the Charlottesville historic sites, capped off with a glass of wine and cheese at Jefferson Vineyards or Blenheim, or visiting the always fun Colonial Williamsburg, and having a ginger cookie while listening to Thomas Jefferson speak about writing the Declaration of Independence, and then walking to see the Wren Building where he studied as a young man at William & Mary.