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5 Surprising Facts About Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was a man of many interests and accomplished a lot in his lifetime. Here are a few things you might not know about this Founder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore a collection of articles addressing frequently asked questions about Thomas Jefferson and Monticello.
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![Lower jawbone of an American Mastodon]()
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![The alcove bed in Jefferson''s bed chamber.]()
EncyclopediaAlcove Beds
Jefferson was "much attached" to alcove beds and incorporated them into nearly every bedroom during his redesign of Monticello in the 1790s.
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![Page from Jefferson's Farm Book showing the lineage of his horse Caractacus.]()
EncyclopediaAllycroker
A look at of one of Jefferson's favorite riding horses, Allycroker, an early generation Thoroughbred who foaled several other of his horses.
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EncyclopediaBilliards
Find out how Jefferson felt about the game billiards and its role at Monticello during the Levy ownership of the property.
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EncyclopediaCaractacus
Learn more about the lineage of what was perhaps Thomas Jefferson's most well-known riding horse.
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![The alcove bed in Jefferson''s bed chamber.]()
EncyclopediaCause of Thomas Jefferson's Death
Learn about the health issues that plagued Thomas Jefferson during the last year of his life and the likely medical causes of his death at the age of 83.
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EncyclopediaCoins on Jefferson's Grave
Explore the tradition of leaving coins at Jefferson's grave and its meaning.
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![A photo from inside Monticello's greenhouse portico looking out into a lourve-enclosed space that can be adjusted to provide differing amounts of air, light, and shade for the occupant.]()
EncyclopediaCooling Monticello
Find out about the clever and ingenious methods Thomas Jefferson used to cool and ventilate Monticello.
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![Monticello West Front]()
EncyclopediaCost of Monticello
The true cost of building Monticello has never been calculated. Jefferson's own records offer some clues, but variables like enslaved labor and bartered materials make a definitive figure impossible to determine.
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![Envelope that often accompanies the Peyton letter facsimile]()
EncyclopediaCraven Peyton Letter Facsimiles
Find out why so many people continue to mistake facsimile of a letter to Craven Peyton as an original Jefferson document.
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![Title page of the 1769 copy of the Holy Bible. Handwritten across the top is “James S Maury. The Gift of His Father 1828”]()
EncyclopediaDay of Thanksgiving and Prayer
A look at Thomas Jefferson's views on establishing a national day of thanksgiving and prayer in relation to his belief in religious freedom.
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EncyclopediaDeclaration of Independence Desk
One of the most precious historical relics of the United States is the lap desk or writing box upon which Thomas Jefferson wrote his draft of the Declaration of Independence.
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![Vienna Dioscorides illustration/PD]()
EncyclopediaDeclaration of Independence Paper
Was the Declaration of Independence written on hemp paper? Despite a popular claim, the answer is no. The signed document was engrossed on parchment, and Jefferson's draft is most likely written on Dutch paper made from flax or linen.
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![James Hoban's 1793 North Elevation for the White House (President's House) in Washington, DC.]()
EncyclopediaExecution on the White House Lawn
Find out whether Thomas Jefferson personally executed a prisoner for treason on the lawn of the White House.
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![Jefferson's small-lens, bifocal reading glasses with silver case and two sets of replacement lenses next to his spectacles with green-tinted, round lenses.]()
EncyclopediaEye Color
No consensus exists on Jefferson's eye color. Visitors and family described them as blue, gray, hazel, or some combination — and his life portraits are no more decisive. Explore the firsthand accounts.
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![Painting of an English gentleman in a wide-brimmed dark hat, light gray frock coat, blue stockings, and brown shoes hold the reins of brown thoroughbred racing horse while a jockey in matching red and white striped cap and shirt, white pants, and low boots stands to the side.]()
EncyclopediaHorses
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StoryHyacinths are on the Stage
Jefferson’s “Belles of the Day” begin
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EncyclopediaInsurance
In 1796 Thomas Jefferson purchased insurance for Monticello and many of its support buildings through the Mutual Assurance Society in Richmond.
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![Image of "Jefferson's Escape" marker describing when Jack Jouett warned that the British were coming. Courtesy of the Albemarle Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.]()
EncyclopediaJack Jouett's Ride
Jouett's heroic overnight ride helped Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia government evade capture by British forces.
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![The family seal featuring a large "TJ" in the center on the gates of the Monticello graveyard.]()
EncyclopediaJefferson Family Burial Places
Explore a list of burial places for Thomas Jefferson, his parents, and his siblings
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![Statue of Thomas Jefferson in the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.]()
EncyclopediaJefferson in Popular Culture
From Hamilton on Broadway to Muppet appearances to Simpsons references, Jefferson turns up in surprising places. A running collection of his sightings in film, television, advertising, and more.
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![Jefferson's obelisk gravestone, which features the three things his wished most to be remembered for: the Declaration of Independence; the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and the University of Virginia.]()
EncyclopediaJefferson's Birthday Celebration
Find out how Thomas Jefferson preferred to celebrate his birthday.
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![Detail from an early 17th-century map of Virginia by Captain John Smith that shows the locations of Monacan and Mannahoack settlements along with a depiction of the Powahatan chief.]()
EncyclopediaJefferson's Excavation of a Native American Burial Mound
Thomas Jefferson once excavated an Indigenous Burial Mound near Monticello home, presaging modern archaeological methods, if not later ethical issues.
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![Jefferson's obelisk gravestone, which features the three things his wished most to be remembered for: the Declaration of Independence; the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and the University of Virginia.]()
EncyclopediaJefferson's Grave and Tombstone
Jefferson left instructions for the building of his tombstone, which included listing what he considered his three greatest achievements and an obelisk design.
