A continuation of yesterpost...
We followed the north cellar passage into Monticello's basement.
This area under the house was mostly for storage, including the wine and beer cellars. And the bottom of the dining room dumbwaiter!
Jefferson's daughter Martha took over managing the household for her father in 1782 when his wife died. She worked with Burwell Colbert, a slave who helped run the household and was a personal servant to Jefferson. She's depicted handing over keys to him.
Down the other secret passage (going out the other end of the house), we discovered the south pavilion. This area had the food preparation and preservation rooms. First, we saw the kitchen which was added around 1809. Jefferson used a lot of the technology, ideas, and equipment from his time in Europe (he was Ambassador to France in the late 1780s).
Just beyond the pavilion is the various gardens that grew fruits and vegetables for the house.
Just above the gardens is Mulberry Row, where much of the day to day work was done on the plantation. Several workers (slaves, indentured servants, and free men) lived here and had workshops.
The location of the wash house is now a gravesite for Rachel Phillips Levy. The Levys bought Monticello and maintained it for a good portion of the late 1800s. The Thomas Jeffferson Foundation bought the property from the Levys in 1923 and took over the preservation of the estate.
The view back to the house is less than spectacular from here.
One recreated workshop is the "storehouse for iron" where items like cups were made. Basically, anything needed on the plantation could be crafted in metal there.
Also recreated is a typical servant's house.
Back up on the West Lawn is a fish pond. Jefferson built it to stock with fish. It was a good source for fresh fish needed while entertaining the many guests who came to the house.
The west lawn has a walking path. Flowers were in full bloom and fragrance, making it very delightful for strolling on an April afternoon.
Visitors have the choice of walking back down the hill to the visitor center or riding the shuttle bus. By this point, the children were wiped out so we rode down. One stop along the way is the Jefferson Cemetery, where Thomas and many of the family are buried. We took a drive by picture of the spot.
Back at the visitor center, we did a little shopping and a visit to the restrooms before heading off. We loved visiting and highly recommend going to Monticello.
We followed the north cellar passage into Monticello's basement.
 |
| Secret passage! |
This area under the house was mostly for storage, including the wine and beer cellars. And the bottom of the dining room dumbwaiter!
 |
| Storage cellar |
 |
| Diagram of the dumbwaiter |
 |
| Practicing the delivery |
 |
| It doesn't go upstairs anymore |
Jefferson's daughter Martha took over managing the household for her father in 1782 when his wife died. She worked with Burwell Colbert, a slave who helped run the household and was a personal servant to Jefferson. She's depicted handing over keys to him.
 |
| Giving the keys to Colbert |
 |
| Trying out a key |
 |
| The beer storage |
Down the other secret passage (going out the other end of the house), we discovered the south pavilion. This area had the food preparation and preservation rooms. First, we saw the kitchen which was added around 1809. Jefferson used a lot of the technology, ideas, and equipment from his time in Europe (he was Ambassador to France in the late 1780s).
 |
| A very modern kitchen for 1809 |
 |
| The main preparation area |
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| Lots of pots and pans, some foreign |
Just beyond the pavilion is the various gardens that grew fruits and vegetables for the house.
 |
| The practical gardens |
Just above the gardens is Mulberry Row, where much of the day to day work was done on the plantation. Several workers (slaves, indentured servants, and free men) lived here and had workshops.
 |
| Slave quarters |
The location of the wash house is now a gravesite for Rachel Phillips Levy. The Levys bought Monticello and maintained it for a good portion of the late 1800s. The Thomas Jeffferson Foundation bought the property from the Levys in 1923 and took over the preservation of the estate.
 |
| Levy grave |
The view back to the house is less than spectacular from here.
 |
| The south pavilion |
One recreated workshop is the "storehouse for iron" where items like cups were made. Basically, anything needed on the plantation could be crafted in metal there.
 |
| Storehouse for iron |
 |
| Cupmaking tools and diretions |
Also recreated is a typical servant's house.
 |
| Servant's house |
 |
| Inside the servant's house |
Back up on the West Lawn is a fish pond. Jefferson built it to stock with fish. It was a good source for fresh fish needed while entertaining the many guests who came to the house.
 |
| Fish pond |
 |
| View of Monticello from the west lawn |
The west lawn has a walking path. Flowers were in full bloom and fragrance, making it very delightful for strolling on an April afternoon.
 |
| Flowers |
 |
| The pathway |
 |
| Flowers by the fish pond |
Visitors have the choice of walking back down the hill to the visitor center or riding the shuttle bus. By this point, the children were wiped out so we rode down. One stop along the way is the Jefferson Cemetery, where Thomas and many of the family are buried. We took a drive by picture of the spot.
 |
| Jefferson's grave |
Back at the visitor center, we did a little shopping and a visit to the restrooms before heading off. We loved visiting and highly recommend going to Monticello.
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