Behind the Scenes: Monticello's 2nd and 3rd Floors

Join us for a glimpse into the upstairs world at Monticello, from the beautiful Dome Room to the cat doors to the attic spaces, where our staff will discuss the lives of the enslaved and free people who lived and labored in the bedrooms, hallways, and out-of-the-way corners most visitors never get to see.

[@marybeth6750]

My father was in the army for WWII reconstruction. He said he tried visiting monticello but it was closed at the time. He was fortunate that he was in uniform that day, and a kind person at Monticello let him come in and see what they were doing. The wall was dismantled and they showed the clock system that goes down through the floor. It was fascinating for my father who was a mechanical engineer. He was glad for the rest of his life to have had that experience.

[@Chereese0808]

What a wonderful story. Your father got lucky that day thanks to his uniform. 🇺🇸 And the nice man as well.

[@Veronica-pv3qh]

I visited Monticello as a little kid with my family. My grandparents had a farm in Charlottesville. I loved it because it was like stepping into a Time Machine. Beautiful home.

[@CoachSherri]

This is why KZbin is so important. If you’re unable to go to these places or see the details and hear the stories, you have a front row seat on this platform. I’ve been to Monticello but was never able to tour the home. The area around in Charlottesville, is Devine and beautiful to drive. I know the history there has its peaks and valleys but the beauty is undenied.

[@leslietrivette91]

Mr. Jefferson is a national treasure. A great Renaissance man. We owe him a huge debt. The story of Monticello is all about how his intellect formed our nation. Thanks for the upstairs tour.

[@marilynnorford7049]

I grew up in Charlottesville, not far from Monticello. In winter, when many trees were bare, I could see the dome of Monticello as I washed dishes in our kitchen. Mr. Jefferson and my proud Virginia upbringing contributed much to my love of history.

[@JackMason-oq8lf]

I always assumed every kid in America took Virginia history. It WAS all about birthing a new nation. You people do realize that Mr Jefferson was a President don't you? I know he wasn't as shallow as the kind of president Americans prefers. He was a nice man, decent like Jimmy C arter, another president America disliked, because he was too intelligent. They couldn't wait to get those dynamic Hollywood has-beens in the White House. Ain't they got fun, show people doing what show people do, pretending to be someone. I'm surprised California doesn't love Fruit Cake. I assumed that was a given.

[@charlenefalk8478]

I went to Jefferson home when I was 15 and now I am 70. I must say that I was very impressed with this house and the tour. Something everyone should see.

[@randy5766]

I also, so many years ago. I remember that the tours were loosely done and we could roam quite freely from the basement to the octagon room. I have went back several times over the decades and have never gotten enough of It.

[@erichannes6392]

We’ve seen this house about twenty years ago.....it left an impression.

[@Bobchai]

I was 18 and a student at U.Va. when I first toured the 2nd and 3rd floors of Monticello. I am 69 now. I recall that most of the rooms were empty, or used for storage or offices. The Dome Room was where the trustees would meet semi-annually. The staircases were narrow, because Mr. Jefferson did not like the ostentation of grand staircases at other Virginia mansions.

[@jimbagley5387]

I came with my wife on our honeymoon and returned in 2017 on our 50th anniversary.

[@MrFasikaH]

Slave plantation. A house of torture. A terror cell with rape quarters. Yup, that’s what this pile of dung is.

[@lilwil-ns3uo]

I visited Montecello some 35 years ago. It was so amazing. I have a friend whose wife was an expert on ancient plants for the museum. To keep everything as true to history as possible. I'm always so impressed with how Jefferson thought. He was a man ahead of his time in so many ways, and yet a man exactly of his time in others. A dichotomy.

[@lisaharrington6488]

A beautiful home both inside and out. Loved seeing the back side of walls and doors. I don't foresee being able to visit this part of the country anytime soon and am very grateful to the craftsmen, historians, guides etc. who have taken the time to film this glimpse of Monticello and share it with all of us. Thank you!

[@patriotmama]

Thomas Jefferson was such an interesting person. From an early age he learned to read and write several different languages. He never stopped leaning and his inventions and the experiments with his garden plants and trees around Monticello were amazing. I wish people would take the time to get to really know the man he was. He was definitely a man for his time. Monticello is a true national treasure.

[@elizabethmayberry3414]

Monticello is such an unexpected jewel box of a house. It’s well worth the trip up the hill.

[@lisalmitchell]

I loved taking that ride.

[@chrisallen7911]

I am very, very thankful the upstairs has been furnished and restored with such beauty and care. I always wanted to see the upstairs and remember practically begging to see it once as a teenager with my parents which was forbidden in the 1970s.

[@janetleslie3917]

When you enter the house, the foyer is a small natural history museum, so to speak, with many artifacts gathered for Mr. Jefferson from far places. And then you look up, and there’s his portrait, those eyes looking right at you, and it takes your breath away. You are in his house, on floors he walked, seeing his furnishings and personal items. It’s a lot to take in.

[@michaeldalton8374]

I doubt much of the furnishings belonged to Jefferson. He was so far in debt at the time of his death, creditors were literally removing personal effects within hours of the event.

[@BuckleBunny]

My ex is a descendant of Sally.

[@jenniferlee7167]

I do agree with you, Janet.

[@igniohealingbringeroftruth9254]

Go feel the history in Europe then if this excites u

[@moirapettifr7127]

The main house itself seems so small! The home itself is quality (not quantity) but the outer buildings and passageways are still being uncovered and quite extensive. This must have quite been a self contained village! The slave cabins and gardens and factories and stables had been plowed under but I hope one day they will all be rediscovered! They just found Sally's little room next to Jefferson's. I wish there was a painting of her that we could see, afterall she was blood related to Jefferson's wife. This is important American history and should be taught in our schools.

[@user-zi4pi2vf7r]

This tour was SO well done. I have been there three times and LOVED it every time! Thank you for showing us the second and third floors.

[@jmfs8738]

Thank you for this video. I’ll never see the home again in person, but you’ve brought it alive again for me in memory.

[@hollygolightly8048]

Years ago, we were given a coffee table book about Monticello. We read the book from cover to cover and on the last few pages were taken back when we saw the name of one of our relatives who was the last caretaker of Monticello. It is a beautiful place.

[@brad10000]

I was 8 years old when I visited this architectural masterpiece. Almost half a century later, I have seen most of the great palaces of Europe and many grand American homes, but none which I admire more than Monticello.

[@moirapettifr7127]

Which gives us insight into just how very difficult, costly and time consuming it must have been to plan and construct such a structure like Monticello in the late 1790s. Everything was labor intensive and far away from larger city centers. Jeff himself was obsessive/compulsive among his many other psychoses. Perhaps grand staircases were much too intricate to incorporate into his smaller estate home where every square foot was precious and precise. The smaller hidden stairs or hidden doors, hallways and his food elevators were hidden so that Jefferson and his constant guests (who literally ate him out of house and home), did not have to think about or see the dozens of people he enslaved and/or hired that were required to keep him and his eleven grandkids in clean clothes and comfort. He must have had some sort of 'magical thinking' psychosis where he felt he'd never go bankrupt as long as he had his nail factories and his slaves that he could rent out for cash.

[@JackieDaytona1776]

​@@moirapettifr7127yeah for all his talents personal finance wasn't one

[@reallydarlings-se2xf]

Being obsessive compulsive is not psychosis. How do you know he was OCD and what were his other psychoses? What are your sources?

[@fearlessvic7948]

Miss being at Monticello. Loved the 5 yrs I worked there.

[@susanpeterson9947]

I got to visit Monticello as a girl of 13, in 1965. Of course then we only got to see the ground floor and the gardens, but I was completely enchanted. And it was so lovely to find this video and get to see the second floor and the dome room for the first time. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

[@DonnaChamberson]

I was the same age when I visited in 2005. ❤️

[@calamaridog]

I've live in Virginia for 7 years and visited 3 times. The work you are doing is an American treasure.

[@hughmungis713]

And it’s forever preserved now !

[@karenkelley1231]

What a great walk down memory lane. I was a former guide at Monticello. And, I LOVED giving tours of the upper rooms at Monticello. I felt as if you experienced a deeper connection to the Jefferson family that lived there. It's as if you could feel the presence of the family and enslaved people who occupied these spaces. It's nice to tour the quieter spaces away from the main floor and the large groups of visitors trooping through. Great job Carrie, Steve, Danna, Lou and Don showing us these private rooms. What a beautiful place. Great job!

[@rsdeary]

Thanks for sharing this thorough tour!

[@cyndizwyghuizen804]

I 7

[@lisablack9634]

Who could give this a thumbs down. Appreciate all the work it takes to keep Monticello intact for next generations.

[@kikihowe4799]

Anyone on the woke left ...because they mention enslaved servants !

[@lisablack9634]

@@kikihowe4799 thank you. I didnt think of it like that. I was thinking from historic side. We can't change ugly things in past but we can learn and move forward. Thank you again

[@tracyfrazier7440]

@@kikihowe4799 More likely the depressing conservative...because they mentioned enslaved servants!

[@militzamadrid462]

@@kikihowe4799... This Woke "thing" is a marxist comunist movement to divide the American People.

[@kmaher1424]

@@militzamadrid462 No, not really.

[@cassandraadams9618]

Thomas Jefferson was my 6th great uncle. I really enjoyed this, thank you.

[@briskii1020yea]

So have you met your black cousins from Thomas Jefferson?

[@mauiinheart]

@@briskii1020yeaDo you realize that you are mocking bi-racial persons?

[@Lee-jh6cr]

My several times great uncle was Commodore John Barry, founder of the American Navy, and friend of Jefferson. Our ancestors hung out together 250 years ago! Cool!

[@TaDarling1]

What a breathtaking place! This will definitely be on my 'to do' list when this pandemic is over. I visited the Springfield, IL home of Abraham Lincoln once years ago and although it wasn't as large as Monticello appears to be, I was still moved by it. Gave me a strong sense of connection to our shared past as a country.

[@annagorka2044]

Now that I've done it, I can't imagine ever visiting Monticello without doing the extended tour including the upstairs. Simply fantastic. I could spend hours just contemplating the lives of the many people who lived and worked here.

[@will8026]

About the dome room....I've always felt sure (being a musician myself and knowing that Jefferson was an enthusiastic violinist) that the dome room was to play music alone in. I think most musicians would love a room just like it!

[@bl7355]

I am trying to work out how to fit a concert hall with a vaulted ceiling large enough for an ensemble & grand piano in my 3 bedroom semi. I haven't worked it out yet 🤔

[@jorgemasvidal1901]

@@bradleysmall2230 bro what

[@bradleysmall2230]

@@jorgemasvidal1901 they ran dna as he was banging sally hemmings his blk slave girl and she got preggers

[@thatsalittlebassist]

@@bradleysmall2230 What the original comment said has nothing to do with Sally. What the hell is the matter with you?

[@gigiw.7650]

Ikr? The first thing I thought of is a grand piano being in the center of it! I'm a flutist, btw.

[@lmae989]

It’s fabulous. I went when I was a major and Jefferson was a genius and an amazing inventor! The house is spectacular and filled with his inventions. He was tall but his bed was short. Back then they slept sitting up mostly. He didn’t like stairs as he thought thought they were a necessity so he hid them inconspicuously. He had his own dishes etc…. So many amazing items and pieces of history. A must see. 🇺🇸👍

[@Porfgirl]

My grandparents and great grandparents are buried on Monticello Mt. Jefferson’s father as born up the road from where I currently live. Love visiting Monticello and hearing the history🥰

[@lindahh798]

I use to live and work in Virginia. Many times, we would head over to Mitchie's Tavern and then to Monticello! Of course, at that time the 2nd and 3rd floors were not open to the public! I must return to visit while I can still walk up and down the stairs! :-) I must say that I wasn't aware of the depth of care that Patsy Jefferson would bring to her Dad. He must have been a pretty patient man to have so many children with their laughter, learning and running throughout the house! Can you imagine "learning" and having Thomas Jefferson as your teacher? Your video was very well done and I want to thank you for bringing to light the rest of Monticello. Thomas Jefferson was a genius and I'm glad he was one of our founding fathers.

[@bobbiejones9266]

Modern construction should be done with such thought and care so they , too, could last a very long time.

[@WaveRider1989]

Lol you do realize there was 600 slaves in the same house or next to the house right? We have to also think about that when thinking about founders as if they lived in a house with paid maids. No

[@katieakin9397]

He didn’t want you to be able to vote. Let alone his rape crimes and hundreds of hostages.

[@lynnmckenna9934]

Slaves watched over his grandchildren. This is not a good man- sorry.

[@StephenZ827]

@@WaveRider1989 I think we have all been told about the slaves. Did you not hear about the slaves in the Bible, or the Kings, Queens in Africa that had slaves, ( thousands ) and of their selling for profits. In fact I hear they still sell slaves in many parts of Africa. Lest we forget...God forbid we make it about Jefferson.

[@frankgordon8829]

Mt. Vernon is a great home to see too.

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

Its very interesting how they built that wall to stop the aninals from getting up into the yard

[@JodyK68]

We know Jefferson was very interested in astronomy and owned several telescopes. The University he founded was to have a large dome observatory. Knowing this I believe his Dome Room or Sky Room that he called it tells you exactly what he used this room for, most likely it was used as his observatory. Let us remember Charlottesville was the site of the University of Virginia. I have read that Jefferson would watch the progress of this building from his home in Monticello, using telescopes without ever having to leave his home. I also read that he used his telescopes to enjoy the views over the Piedmont from Monticello.

[@LynxSouth]

This is the sort of information that should be on this video, not emotional ramblings.

[@moirapettifr7127]

@@LynxSouth ?

[@alexajones2593]

@@LynxSouth Exactly what a Fake Title to this Video I wanted to see furnishings and collections and not dumbed down to supposed information on how Pricilla Hemings felt while taking care of children.

[@LynxSouth]

@@alexajones2593 Right! REAL historical, documented, substantiated information.

[@alexajones2593]

@@LynxSouth 👍

[@jenniferlee7167]

Excellent presentation! I have been to Monticello several times and loved it each and every time. Thomas Jefferson was indeed a renaissance man and it shows in his many endeavors and interests at Monticello. I never tire of studying his life and his magnificent home. Many thanks.

[@colesteele3594]

More content like this please.

[@paulsmith8212]

Wonderful residence. The workers employed by the foundation are all meant to be there. They show so much pride and joy with what they see and do , it’s a pleasure to listen to them. Aside from the building being now of a historic nature, I wonder if any of these people that work there have encountered anything of the paranormal state , maybe in the evenings?

[@lavettamoff7883]

Thanks for this video.Thomas Jefferson is such an interesting man,and an absolute genius in so many areas.Monticello is truly an American treasure.

[@deannabates1575]

Thank you. I toured Monticello many years ago and I so wanted to go upstairs! We may just have to make another trip and do it see it all this time.

[@joannelson9571]

My Husband, myself and our five children ages 17 thru two visited in 1993 and still talk about our visit there! Thank you for this interesting tour of the second and third floors.

[@blossom1643]

That’s so cool about the holes in the doors! Probably a good idea in that day & I’m sure his kitties loved it 🥰

[@lindas1574]

Kitty holes in doors were fairly common in the deep south. Rats and other vermin were endemic and the cats were just about the only means to keep their numbers down. They didn't have rat poisons and traps were only minimally effective. A good mouser/ratter of a cat was a treasure to be encouraged

[@peggyh4805]

Beautiful headstone. ❤️❤️❤️

[@barbarajustice9499]

It is my favorite home I’ve ever visited he was way before his time and extremely smart I love everything about the home inside and out the grounds area Is beautiful I have visited it many times thanks for doing the video

[@frankstrausbaugh9832]

Tremendously fascinating. Thank you for this behind the scenes look at life at Monticello. Much appreciated by those of us whose age and handicap keeps us away from this architectural gem.

[@marilynadams349]

A lovely pace. The grounds and out doors is so pretty .

[@MitchellMeyer702]

A home that truly reflected the mind of the man who lived in it.

[@patty4709]

As a proud Virginia girl, I visited these grounds on three different occasions. I found it a beautiful place and loved hearing all the Jefferson history.

[@geraldineclarke5434]

I first went to Monticello when I was 8 and instantly fell in love with Jefferson and architecture. (This was back in the 50's when the tours still took you upstairs.)

[@markw4263]

I’ve been to Monticello and it’s fascinating. This virtual tour was a great addition to my memories, and incorporates an awareness of the complexity of that era. Dealing with the free and enslaved living in the same space, if not the same buildings, is most challenging.

[@suziperret468]

Love Monticello!I lived in Charlottesville in the 70’s, and enjoyed Jefferson’s architecture. I remember sitting in an empty outdoor amphitheater, designed by Jefferson, for my lunch break. It was sublime.. The University of Virginia ,also has a lovely dome ,and beautiful balanced architecture.

[@carolluther1625]

I have been to Monticello many times, and in 1979 saw his great, great ...grandson present at WM & Mary College a reading from Thomas Jefferson's writing. The family familiarity was so uncanny, and he was in a period costume. I have been there many times, I will have to go back now!

[@mauiinheart]

@@carolluther1625Fascinating isn't it? How by sight, one can actually see generations of family dna. --I guess you could say, it by sight WAS and still is the first dna test.

[@lindaratzel7835]

Thank you so much for sharing this magnificent historical home on KZbin! A few years back I got to visit this home but not the upstairs as I was with my handicapped husband. I always wanted to go back and still may if my health allows it. I so loved this presentation!!!!!

[@loisfolk5492]

Never been there but now I feel I have. Jefferson’s story has always interested me.

[@judithoden]

I grew up close to Charlottesville and my big treat for my birthday was to spend the day at Monticello. I still have some of my gifts from those days. I am now 78 and have so many fun memories of those days. I loved the yellow walls there and my entry way for also 30 years painted that color. The family that bought my house did of course change the walls. I also have a chair designed by Jefferson. The reproduction was made by Virginia Craft shop. One of my wedding gifts. . Still have chair in my living room and is more than 50 years old. Loved seeing this video. How very much of my life influenced by this home. .

[@duanebrankley8984]

I was able to enjoy an Upper Floor/ Behind the Scenes tour almost two years ago early spring. It was the best tour I have done at Monticello. Tell

[@judibarth7999]

I was born on the day of his birth in 1945’s many years later, but always drawn to the man and his life’s talents!

[@lindaduncan5541]

I visited Monticello many years ago. It was a blessings to tour it. Thank you for sharing more about the people who lived there!

[@luisvaldes1568]

What's not talked about is the money problems Jefferson had in his last years. It was what most of our Founding Fathers went thru. Read Twilight at Monticello by Alan Pell Crawford it will bring tears to your eyes.

[@hondaphan4172]

I was there around thirty years ago...loved it. I would love to go back to see it again and also go to Mount Vernon.

[@nm6783]

I am amazing and glad that the Thomas Jefferson's Monticello foundation is being transparent about everyone who lived on Monticello

[@ednakelley814]

Why would they not be? They have nothing to be ashamed of. Historians aren't guilty of anything.

[@jennienguyen6749]

The architecture. I love historical houses.

[@jamesallison4875]

Such gentle, lovely people. Thank you. This was most enlightening.

[@greghill9013]

Thank you, thoroughly enjoyed the tour.

[@lonayork591]

I have always wanted to see the upstairs rooms. Thank you ❤️!

[@kevinforth7618]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@marymcguffin9370]

Very well presented. I really enjoyed this tour. Thank you so much.💓

[@melindadouglas1673]

I’ve been to the main floor many times and the 2nd and 3rd floor on a special tour. So fascinating. They didn’t show the claustrophobic, steep staircase that led upstairs. I can’t imagine what it was like to navigate that in a long skirt and the shoes they wore. His sister fell down the steps and had a bad break that kept her confined in her room for several years.

[@dumbbo1]

Washington’s and Betsy Ross’ stairways were also pretty tough to navigate, especially Betsy’s which was a compact, winding stairway.

[@jodeeanderson5808]

Thank you, this was fabulous.

[@slh35661]

Thank you for this wonderful tour. I’ve been to visit twice in my life, once as a child and once to bring my own children. I never got to see these rooms so this was a fun new piece of the visit to see!

[@katherinebopp2021]

As a docent at the Chattion Demenil Mansion in St Louis (circa 1849) I loved every inch and every bit of history in this mansion. I always wanted to see The beautiful home of Thomas Jefferson.. Thank you for this wonderful tour.

[@brett6905]

I love the architecture. I wish we saw more beauty in today's modern structures, instead of cookie cutter square boxes. I think of homes as living in a way, they have an aura.

[@stefan-anamericaninrussiaa6683]

Nicely presented.. This home has a structural and personal history that needs to remain preserved..

[@randallmccrea283]

I'm surprised it didn't get demolished with all the monuments.

[@allanhwhite.kineticmobiles]

@@randallmccrea283, What "monuments" do you think were demolished?

[@randallmccrea8245]

Oh ya know the confederate ones this house has something to do with slavery and I’m just surprised that nobody decided to destroy it while they went on that whole tirade of tearing down American history a few years ago.

[@allanhwhite.kineticmobiles]

@@randallmccrea8245 The confederate ones? You are making that comment and you can’t even actually name one of the “monuments” that have been “demolished”?

[@randallmccrea8245]

There were multiple and I don’t see how I need to specifically name each monument that was destroyed. But what ever I’m just glad to see the assholes didn’t get to this national treasure. That’s all.

[@ameliaejordan]

What a treat to see upstairs at Monticello! I was born in Charlottesville 78 years ago and made several trips to Monticello through the years but, of course, only saw the first floor and the pavilions. One of my strongest memories was the ice house which we explored when I was five. Since I’d never heard of an ice house it fascinated me. Later, while growing up at Cobham Park where we had an ice pond and remains of an ice house, I incorporated my memories of Monticello into pretend games.

[@kathykit7629]

Wonderful tour. We went years ago when upstairs was closed to the public. Spectacular grounds to see as well. Now we want to return to see it all again.

[@alwysadvisin1]

Thank you for the tour. Such a beautiful and historic home.

[@maralene1411]

SUCH an interesting video. It's like being there. Beautiful rooms and woodworking.

[@carolcox9443]

So wonderful. Thank you.

[@patriciapalmer1377]

Thank you so much for your time and effort on our behalf, we appreciate it. Patricia

[@serenity8644]

Thank you this was a beautiful respite to spend 30 minutes admiring Monticello ❤️👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Just simply magnificent 🙏 We will return and take the extra tours to 2nd and 3rd floors! And the Dome room. The gardens are just as beautiful ☺️

[@lindaweigel5857]

Wonderful presentations. Very informative.

[@ms.tep_]

I enjoyed the videos of this place! Thank you!

[@shannonm.4087]

Thank you so much for the video, and the restoration!!

[@deborahasher176]

I did the entire tour of Monticello. It was awesome and I cried.

[@beatricewoods8377]

Did you cry because slaves worked there?

[@tint661]

My wife and I toured Monticello in the spring of 1998. We were coming from Lexington, VA headed towards Williamsburg, VA. It was a second thought and I'm glad we visited. You could still drive up the hill and park near the building.

[@kathrynlayfield9599]

I visited in November 1990, we were on our honeymoon and stayed at many bed and breakfasts in Virginia, I loved it!! The leaves were just changing color, this was new to me, I'm a Texan!!

[@christinatweet6580]

Excellent memories...🌞

[@jayr.617]

I was at Monticello in 1973. Beautiful house. Good memories.

[@useyourbrain3765]

Having taken the tour which includes this, I recommend it, highly.

[@deb5710]

Toured Monticello in the mid 1980's, so much history there!

[@donalddodson7365]

Well presented. Very interesting that now more of the story can be shown. Thank you.

[@allenraysmith7889]

Fascinating!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@nancywhitten2585]

Looking forward to visiting and hope to see the 2nd and 3rd floors. TJ is my second cousin.

[@JoanDoris1]

It was popular in France to have beds in alcoves. That's probably where Th.J got the idea.

[@johnvonundzu2170]

Interesting what a micromanager TJ must have been - his 49 year old daughter needing his permission to not sleep in an alcove.

[@Tony-InLosAngeles]

@@johnvonundzu2170 it was his home he built and paid for, which he hardly got to live in and women did as they were told then.

[@luv2cook.]

@@Tony-InLosAngeles correct!

[@lolodee3528]

He spent a fair amt of time in France. Clearly he learned and utilized many French ways of cooking, gardening, farming and styling things in his life.

[@Tony-InLosAngeles]

@@lolodee3528 Yes five years as the American Minister to the Court of Versailles; and later assumed the position of Secretary of State, he continued his involvement in American foreign policy with French Revolution, continuing into the 1790s.

[@BonafideGail]

Wonderful showing !

[@carolgonka6596]

I really loved this tour what a beautiful home

[@Oldman808]

Jefferson’s other home, Poplar Forest is also interesting!

[@shirleymurphy1958]

In Anne's room I think what she called a dumb waiter is really a pie table.

[@firefalcon9368]

yes i always thought a dumbwaiter was a small manual style elevator used for tasks like moving laundry and food up and down levels so they don't have to carry it.

[@postmodernrecycler]

Dumbwaiter refers both to a "pie table" and the more familiar elevator apparatus. We remember the elevator definition because it's more interesting than the table variant.

[@dmcgee3]

Touché Recyler, I’d never heard it used referring to what we’d now call a lazy Susan. Wikipedia dumbwaiter entry has two Jefferson dumbwaiter tidbits. Apparently the man was really all about the dumbwaiter/lazy Susan

[@bl7355]

@@dmcgee3 off the top of my head I remembered that from a Bill Bryson book. He was also obsessed with the idea that staircases are wasted space and he tended to hide them in walls with doors obscuring them.

[@verahinnant8021]

I loved visiting there. Its the most amazing place i have ever been. Its wonderful.

[@donnashekey352]

So well done and appreciated!

[@chrisallen7911]

Call it a sixth sense, past life remembrance or just a Southern architectural researcher and lover....That Dome Room was used as a major ventilation tool, open those round portal windows and the windows below, and the cool breeze on the Mountaintop would cool the house reasonable well. Also whether documented or not, Jefferson would have most likely had balls there in the cooler months. People were so small and women's fashion would have been the Empire Style, so the stairs would not have been a problem. I can imagine that Jefferson had his telescope up there quite often looking at the stars.

[@patriciapalmer1377]

I agree, I've always thought that room (storage room indeed) got a lot of use for all kinds of things by the family ( all those teenagers and young adults?) and braziers in the winter would have been put to use. So much of the home's original furnishings and uses for rooms is long gone and forgotten. Historians oftentimes are less imaginative than the people they purport to describe and rely on a dearth of lackluster information. It seems to me I read something about the telescope being used up there. I think, tho, he wanted his own Roman oculus, you reckon ? Pat

[@pauledwards5607]

Could he have used to for acoustics? He played the violin...

[@Whoishere2333]

People were NOT small at this time. President Jefferson was 6’2” as was President Washington. The height of alot of people was probably the result of poor or lack of food during critical growth periods.

[@lindawer]

The founder of Friendly's Ice Cream Corp built an exact replica of Monticello in Somers, CT as a vanity project. I was hoping to get to tour it one day but it remained a private home and recently was sold.

[@emmahardesty4330]

Excellent, good job, bravo. Extra praise for including the essential presence of enslaved people.

[@eugenecbell]

Wow! You can see the upper flours now! Fantastic, I must visit again.

[@bigmuscles250lbs]

Wonderful, spectacular home. Some of the things I have questions about after I visited the second and third floors. Only a few of the upstairs rooms had fireplaces. Must have been cold in the rooms without fireplaces. Some of the rooms only have skylights which would limit egress in case of fire. Also the stairs to the second and third floors are very narrow, steep, dark, and somewhat hidden. There is not a grand staircase in the Entrance Hall. These questions, along with the front facade of the house Jefferson designed to look like a one-story home, lead me to believe Jefferson didn't want people to know there are second and third floor bedrooms, and didn't want a lot of guests staying overnight or living there. Ironically, he ended up with a houseful of relations.

[@aqueen04]

When I visited Monticello a few years back, our tour guide told us that Jefferson didn't like grand staircases, considering them a waste of space within a house, and so refused to have one installed, and instead designed the dark, narrow staircases that were tucked away in various corners of the house. Our tour guide talked about how such an inconvenience didn't bother Jefferson since he lived entirely on the first floor, and she also mentioned that in their letters, his granddaughters complained heartily about trying to traverse those narrow stairs in their dresses or when they were carrying something. I also got a chance to go up and down those steps as I went on one of the behind-the-scenes tours. It was almost like climbing a ladder rather than a staircase, and I was terrified I would fall when I came back down.

[@bigmuscles250lbs]

@@aqueen04 Thanks for the information. I took the same tour you took and so glad I did. Jefferson may have claimed he didn't like grand staircases BUT all the evidence indicates he didn't want people to know it was a multi-story home and didn't want so many people staying there: narrow, steep, hidden staircases; facade looks like one-story home resulting in odd, low windows on the second floor; few fireplaces upstairs; only skylights in some rooms. Also, strangers would just show up at the door wanting to see the home. Certainly he didn't want to have to reveal to them there are other floors.

[@lolodee3528]

Heat rises. Perhaps somewhat explains a lack of fireplaces.

[@bigmuscles250lbs]

@@lolodee3528 There are so many things he did to keep people from visiting him. The lack of fireplaces is just another way to keep people away. The house looks like a one-story home from the front with no second or third floor so people wouldn't realize there were bedrooms upstairs. No main staircase. Just hidden staircases. And If you were allowed to stay the night, you had to deal with very steep, narrow, dark stairs. Upstairs bedrooms are tiny and not very inviting. Some have no windows and only a skylight.

[@schmolty1]

Beautiful restoration. Thank you for sharing this. I have been to the home twice and was always curious about the upper floors. This has made my day.

[@johnspoor3762]

When i was younger, you could still go up there. Love the ongoing work. So much to see there. Never an i informative time.

[@LoisSharbel]

Such an interesting tour! Thank you!