A Pocketful of History
Imagine Jefferson exploring his world and recording observations, ideas, and memories with the portable hi-tech gadgets of his day. As he travelled around Monticello, America, and Europe, what was in Jefferson's pockets?
As a man of the Age of Enlightenment, Jefferson filled his pockets with all manner of instruments, gadgets, and keepsakes to explore the world around him, whether at Monticello, on the streets of Williamsburg, Philadelphia, Paris, London, New York, or Washington, D.C.
Jefferson's Memorandum Books are filled with entries noting his purchases of pocket-sized objects for his "every day carry," many of which have been preserved and can be seen at Monticello today. Check out Jefferson's pocketful of history!
