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This piazza held Jefferson's workbench, where he is known to have made locks and chains. It also served as a greenhouse for growing plants and possibly as home to a pet mockingbird.
Color: White
Unusual Architectural Features: Part of Jefferson's suite of private rooms that included his book room, writing office (Cabinet), and bedroom; flanked by two "Venetian porches"
Furnishings of Note: Work table and tools, as well as flowers, seeds, and flats for sprouting seeds
1780s. (Isaac Granger Jefferson). "My old master was as neat a hand as ever you see to make keys & locks & small chains, iron & brass. He kept all kind of blacksmith and carpenter tools in a great case with shelves to it in his library ... been up thar a thousand times; used to car coal up thar. Old master had a couple of small bellowses up thar."[1]
1807 November 9. (Ann Cary Randolph to Jefferson). "Ellen & myself have a fine parcel of little Orange trees for the green house against your return."[2]
1808 January 22. (Ann Cary Randolph to Jefferson). "I have not been to Monticello since we came from there but Jefferson (Thomas Jefferson Randolph) was there the other day & says that the green house is not done ...."[3]
1808 December 8. (Jefferson to Ann Cary Randolph Bankhead). "... in fact the Mimosa Nilotica & Orange are the only things I have ever proposed to have in my Green house."[4]
1816 November 10. (Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph). "[T]ell Wormley (Hughes) also to send ... about a bushel of Orchard grass seed out of the large box in the Green house."[5]
After 1826. Cornelia Randolph's floor plan of Monticello, drawn after Jefferson's death, includes no. 27, a large "Work Bench," in the South Piazza.[6]
1829 October 7. (Virginia Jefferson Randolph Trist to Nicholas Philip Trist). "By the way, you never answered my inquiries about ... the box of unpacked books in the greenhouse ...."[7]
1828 August 10. (Mary Jefferson Randolph to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge). "Then we have the sitting room adjoining in which two more can be comfortably lodged, and the green house a very convenient little appendage to our bed chambers."[8]
ADDRESS:
1050 Monticello Loop
Charlottesville, VA 22902
GENERAL INFORMATION:
(434) 984-9800