It's a beautiful place with a mixed past. It's a memory of a man who did a lot for our country. Without him, and men like him, this country might still be flying a British flag. Some of his greatest achievements are listed below. (taken from https://learnodo-newtonic.com/thomas-jefferson-accomplishments)
#1 Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
#2 He drafted the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.
#3 He served as the third President of the United States.
#4 United States Military Academy was established during his presidency.
#5 Jefferson doubled the size of the United States during his presidency.
#6 He Made sure U.S. Presence was established in the Louisiana Territory. President Thomas Jefferson tasked Meriwether Lewis with exploring lands west of the Mississippi River that comprised the Louisiana Purchase.
#7 President Jefferson abolished the slave trade.
8 He made an important contribution to the Library of Congress (His large book collection)
#9 Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia.
#10 He wrote a book titled, "Notes on the State of Virginia."
But even though he accomplished all those wonderful things, he was still a slave owner.
As people rally to remove the monuments to an egregious past, I hope they stop at some of them, like Monticello, and think for a minute. Monticello is not only a monument to Thomas Jefferson, it's a link to history of white and black people in America. At Monticello you can learn so many things. I've posted links to the tours below. (found on https://www.monticello.org/)
Monticello is also working Nationally to promote learning history.
National Initiatives Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of LibertyA major exhibition on slavery developed in partnership between Monticello and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. Now on view in Dallas, TX. (Coming soon to Detroit, MI, in 2019.)
Jefferson Schools InitiativeMonticello has piloted a program with some of the 300+ schools across the United States that bear Thomas Jefferson’s name, inviting students and teachers to learn more about Jefferson, race, slavery and leadership.
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