Tombstone Legacies Conference

Conference Overview

Of all Thomas Jefferson’s world-historical accomplishments, he wished to be remembered especially for three achievements. He asked these to be inscribed on the granite marker erected over his final resting place at his beloved Monticello:

Here was buried

Thomas Jefferson 

Author of the Declaration of American Independence 

of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom 

& Father of the University of Virginia. 

The Tombstone Legacies Conference, presented by the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies, will explore Jefferson’s lasting contributions to secure the freedoms of self-government, religion, and education forever enshrined on this memorial. 

Panels

Morning Keynote

Drawing on the unparalleled documentary record assembled by The Papers of Thomas Jefferson and The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series, this keynote explores Jefferson’s enduring legacies through the documents he created, received, and preserved. Examining correspondence, public papers, and private records, the keynote considers how documentary editing has shaped our understanding of Jefferson and his world.

American Independence

The Declaration of Independence has inspired revolutionary thought around the world for centuries since its creation in 1776. Jefferson’s authorship of this document also highlights the paradoxical relationship between slavery and freedom in the founding of the United States. Engage with our panelists as they share insights about the legacies of the Declaration of Independence.

Religious Freedom

Jefferson demonstrated profound interest in religion and religious freedom over the course of his life. His 1779 proposed bill to establish religious freedom in Virginia signaled a commitment to consider the question of separation between Church and State prior to the Virginia legislature’s passage of the Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786. Learn with our panelists as they discuss how Jefferson’s connection to religious freedom still impacts us today both locally and globally.

Education

Jefferson’s dedication to educational ideals is most often recognized through his pivotal role in founding the University of Virginia. However, the United States’ commitment to educational freedom has been a contested battleground since its earliest years. Connect with our panelists as they discuss and deliberate on the nature of American education and civic engagement, past and present.