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Pictures of my trip to Monticello and perhaps something unknown to most, me included before the trip

keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
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OK, we took a short vacation starting last Friday morning, made it out of Northeast Ohio just as the deluge was ending, 10-12 inches of rain in about 30 hours!!! We drove down to Williamsburg, Virginia where we stayed for three days and made a short trip to Va. Beach where the heat was almost intolerable. After Colonial Williamsburg on Sunday and Busch Gardens on Monday, it was time to head home and stay overnight in Charlottesville where Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, is located. What a historic sight and what a man!!!!!

I can't truly express how I was overwhelmed as we drove up the mountain and eventually boarded the tour bus for the short ride to the house. For me, it had nothing to do with coins and everything to do with our Heritage and how one man chose to serve, making it his life's work to pass down a legacy of Public Service. A spritual thought which comes to mind is very fitting-----A man will know he's made progress when he can plant a tree he knows he'll never see grow to maturity. And what a tree Jefferson helped to plant!!!

Sadly, the Society which now oversees the sight allows no photographs inside Monticello. The foyer contained every type of artifact imaginable, offering a quick glimpse of what Mssrs. Lewis and Clark brought back from the Jefferson sponsored Expedition of the then new Louisiana Territory. A room to the left contained what remains of his Library which is really an understatement. Thomas Jefferson came across through the whole tour as a man who sincerely believed our time is short and should be used to further the Human Race. He read prolifically, kept metioculous records of everything, worked tirelessly and always sought to improve on the seemingly unimprovable. His main work/study area was a two room assemblage with a bed placed in the walls between the rooms, a desk in one containing a book stand which allowed him to have five books opened for reading at any given time. Our guide quoted him as saying "In 50 years the sun has never caught me in bed."image I wish I could say the same.

From the commentary we received during the tour, Mr. Jefferson was well visited and it struck me that I was standing on hallowed ground, rooms where every manner of Royalty and Nobility as well as unnumbered Great Americans had stood and walked during their visits. It also struck me that I unknowingly share some of his passions and appreciation of solitude for introspection. The gardens surrounding the home are a treasure in themselves; I only wish I could view them all at their peak during the seasons. As it was, our short five hour stay was way, way inadequate. All the same, I thought I'd share a quick impression of genuis as I had the oppurtunity to observe in it's long past shadow.

So now, on to the good stuff and a few pictures along with perhaps a revelation about the design we see of the building on our Nickels.

Firstly, let's look at what we see on the Jefferson Nickel. The building is depicted with four pillars and six steps, we all know that, right?? But is that really what the building looks like?? Also, have you ever wondered what part of Monticello you were looking at?? I always assumed I was being shown the front of the building, but again, is that what we're seeing??

So here's the image as seen on the coin. Note that thre are four distinct pillars and six distinct steps.

image

Now, here's what we see if we look at the front of the building. Note that there are six steps and four pillars but that the steps curve at the ends and have nothing at the end extending from under the Portico. It's definitely not the view we see on the coin.

image

OK, let's take a look at the back of the building. This is definitely the view on the coin except that the steps are wrong, there are seven instead of six!!!image Also, it's almost impossible to not see the two extra pillars.

image

I was sort of surprised to notice these little nuances because other members had posted about the Monticello before but nobody had apparently paid attention to the detail as a true step counter would.image I was most surprised by the fact that in all the depictions the front of the building is never shown. We always see the rear and the three-quarter side views. But, I digress.

Here's a family picture of the whole sweaty group. Shortly after this was taken we took a slow walk down the hill and stopped at Jefferson's gravesite. As an interesting sidenote, Thomas Jefferson had taken a childhood pledge with a friend that they would both be buried under a large Oak Tree. Though the tree is long gone, the pledge remains and the men lie close together for eternity.

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Comments

  • MadMartyMadMarty Posts: 16,697 ✭✭✭
    Wow, the building has Full Steps!!!

    Nice pics Keets!!
    It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving!!!

  • jmj3esqjmj3esq Posts: 5,421
    Very interesting. Thanks.
  • Cool post.
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    actually, the primary photographer is our little protege, Alex, seated in front of me in the family picture. she's Casey's oldest daughter at 13 and has ease with almost whatever she chooses to do. i haven't yet been able to pursuade her to accompany me to a coin show. if she were bitten by the bug, well, who knows what might happen..............image
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    Monticello looks so small in the first picture, maybe you're just tall.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • coinandcurrency242coinandcurrency242 Posts: 1,971 ✭✭✭✭
    I remember when I visited! I would of loved to take a 200 year old tree home from their and sell it image

    Positive BST as a seller: Namvet69, Lordmarcovan, Bigjpst, Soldi, mustanggt, CoinHoader, moursund, SufinxHi, al410, JWP

  • TWQGTWQG Posts: 3,145 ✭✭
    Thanks for sharing.
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭
    Thanks Keets! What a wonderful post!
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I believe this building has been extensively renovated a couple of times. The color
    of the brick on the sides of the steps in back do not seem to match the rest of the
    structure. It seems highly unlikely that the original would have differed in the treat-
    ment of the ens of the steps. I'd guess the artist (Felix Schlag) exercised a little art-
    istic licence and did most of his study from the back.

    Truly an MS-70 FS thread.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • DMWJRDMWJR Posts: 6,034 ✭✭✭✭✭
    With that chip on the fourth step, I bet it wouldn 't get the designation!image
    Doug
  • TootawlTootawl Posts: 5,877 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Monticello looks so small in the first picture, maybe you're just tall. >>


    I know tawl sir, and he is not tawl! image
    PCGS Currency: HOF 2013, Best Low Ball Set 2009-2014, 2016, 2018. Appreciation Award 2015, Best Showcase 2018, Numerous others.
  • xbobxbob Posts: 1,979
    Great post and neat observations of the real deal vs. the coin.

    The original winning design is the back as well:
    image

    Now if we can only figure out who the drag queen is on the front of the 2006 nickels. image

    -Bob
    collections: Maryland related coins & exonumia, 7070 Type set, and Video Arcade Tokens.
    The Low Budget Y2K Registry Set
  • HTubbsHTubbs Posts: 4,138 ✭✭✭
    POTDimage
  • relayerrelayer Posts: 10,570

    Cool. It looks like the coin is a composite of both the front and back image

    BTW - who is the guy who stole your car in your icon?
    image
    My posts viewed image times
    since 8/1/6
  • LeianaLeiana Posts: 4,349
    How very interesting! image Thanks so much for sharing. image

    -Amanda
    image

    I'm a YN working on a type set!

    My Buffalo Nickel Website Home of the Quirky Buffaloes Collection!

    Proud member of the CUFYNA
  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,055 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This is a terrific thread! My wife and I last visited Monticello in 1994, and at that time they would not allow anyone on the second floor because the staircase was too narrow for the firecode. It is my understanding that this building had heavy restoration, as cladking has already mentioned, and that it was not taken care of very well for a very long time. When we visited, there was a Chain cent on display that had been found near the slaves' quarters and the cent had been cleaned and superglued to a display table.
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • PistareenPistareen Posts: 1,505 ✭✭✭
    Hey! My old office!

    I worked at Monticello as an historical interpreter while studying at UVa's history department between 1996 and 1999. My work there began as a "Plantation Life Interpreter," teaching crowds about life as a slave on Jefferson's plantation, but later I got to put on a shirt and tie and give tours in the house. Among the fun by-products were getting to spend time upstairs (including the off-limits Dome Room) and getting to help them catalogue Jefferson's medal collection. His gilt 1805 Eccleston medal (given to him by Eccleston) is framed and on display in a vitrine in the parlor.

    My years there were fantastic -- I loved the house, the area, my bosses at TJMF, and the interaction with the public. There is no better place to show up for work in the morning!
  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭


    << <i>My years there were fantastic -- I loved the house, the area, my bosses at TJMF, and the interaction with the public. There is no better place to show up for work in the morning! >>

    That's quite a statement coming from someone who works for ANR...
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    Great post. I have to get there someday!
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,303 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great Post! I've been there too but last time I was focused on the books and on the surrounding botany. Next time I'll take an early half or two in my pocket. Love the history.
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    the second floor is still off limits for the same narrow width/firecode reason, though i suspect it has more to do with ongoing preservation. the Monticello did in fact fall into a brief period of disrepair, i think that was from about 1836 till the mid-1870's. it was originally donated to the U.S.(who didn't want it) and subsequently purchased by one of the Jefferson heirs who then donated it to the U.S., this time a willing recipient. the organization currently overseeing things has been the caretaker since about 1923.

    there was some extensive renovation going on while we were there to the North wing which extends about 100 feet back from that end of the building. the gardens were in bloom for the season but seemed to be struggling some with the heat as were all the visitors. all the same it was easy to imagine the estate as a bustling plantation in the early 1800's with it's attendant slave population, a sore point with many whenever Jefferson is mentioned. my perception is that he was a victim of the times and struggled with it as best he could. our guide put things in perspective when she paralleled our dependence on oil/chemicals with the 1800's plantation. many of us understand the harm we do in our day to day lives but are unwilling to make the sacrifice necessary to live the lifestyle we've grown accustomed to, so we trudge on as best as possible under the burden.

    to that end some of the slave cabin foundations have been unearthed as well as the workshops and storehouses. i imagine the future holds some reconstruction, but not soon.
  • RBB617RBB617 Posts: 498 ✭✭
    Great post, keets. This post really ties the history into the coin.
  • CrackoutCrackout Posts: 1,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great stuff! Thanks, keets image
  • ibzman350ibzman350 Posts: 5,315
    Hey Keets.......you were in my neckada wood. Great pics, thanx for sharing.

    BTW it was not hot 2 days ago but today it was. My car thermometer read 104 today, it was only up to 99 this past weekend...image



    Herb
    Remember it's not how you pick your nose that matters, it's where you put the boogers.
    imageimageimage
  • MrSpudMrSpud Posts: 4,499 ✭✭✭
    Cool post!
  • Very well written. image
    image

    image
  • Way cool. When living in DC I never got down there. Time to take the kids now!

    Thanks image
    What do you think, Mr. Bigglesworth?
    image
  • farthingfarthing Posts: 3,294 ✭✭✭
    I looked up the Eccleston medal - What a beauty! image





    Daniel Eccleston also has a Conder token with his image, which happens to be one of my favorites in my collection. That is his image in the middle of the top row in my sig line.
    R.I.P. Wayne, Brad
    Collecting:
    Conder tokens
    19th & 20th Century coins from Great Britain and the Realm
  • pontiacinfpontiacinf Posts: 8,915 ✭✭
    incredibly well written al, POTD

    I visted monticello when I was real young, dont remember much. I do however have goosebumps from your description, as its how I felt when I visted Mount Vernon a few years later.

    did ya wanna break out a MD while there?

    lawn guy would probably pop a doodieimage

    great job Al
    image

    Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭
    I was there for the first time about a month ago. I was surprised to see that the back view is the famous one. I never even thought of comparing the real thing to a modern crap nickel image

    We had a great tour inside and I learned Jefferson was an amzingly brilliant guy in many fields, similar to Ben Franklin...
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,720 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I was there for the first time about a month ago. I was surprised to see that the back view is the famous one. I never even thought of comparing the real thing to a modern crap nickel image

    We had a great tour inside and I learned Jefferson was an amzingly brilliant guy in many fields, similar to Ben Franklin... >>



    It was largely Jefferson, and Adams, who provided the philosophical foundations of the republic,
    while Franklin was much more an all around scientist, printer, ambassador. All the founders were
    very pragmatic and very far sighted. They'd have probably collected our modern crap were it avail-
    able to them. image

    Washington often doesn't get the credit he deserves, but he was instrumental as a military stra-
    tegist at the very least.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • EXCELLENT Post Al!!!!
  • another self indulgence thread
    There is nothing more powerful than the power of goodbye
  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great thread and great read keetsimage
    I enjoyed the read and that family pic is a great oneimage

    But you said they don't make Jeffs with 7 full stepsimage
    image
    image
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • anoldgoatanoldgoat Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭
    Great post keets. image
    Alright! Who removed the cork from my lunch?

    W.C. Fields
  • MyqqyMyqqy Posts: 9,777
    Very nice post, but am I the only one who noticed that keets has a full-on mullet? image
    My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    arlea1957, what am i supposed to write about, stuff that you like?? that would be stupid and i might end up being totally wrong with any conclusions i might draw.image

    oh yeah, i've had the mullet goin' on since about 1980. i'm a victim of the Orlando butcher who gave me the buzz-cut in 1975; my hair follicles still haven't recovered.
  • DHeathDHeath Posts: 8,472 ✭✭✭
    Good post Al. It's always nice to see collectors venture outside. imageimage
    Developing theory is what we are meant to do as academic researchers
    and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,278 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Now if we can only figure out who the drag queen is on the front of the 2006 nickels. image >>


    Alice Cooper.
  • Very nice post, Al - thanks for sharing it all here!

    Ken
  • Great post Al. Bev and I came through Charlottesville a few yrs. ago and did not take in Monticello. Looks like we missed a great opportunity.
    Gary
    image
  • KentuckyJKentuckyJ Posts: 1,871 ✭✭✭

    Great pics image Very nice post, keets image Well written and informative ... thanks!

    KJ

  • JulioJulio Posts: 2,501
    Keets; if that's not quality family time I don't know what it is. jws
    image
  • Coin FinderCoin Finder Posts: 7,387 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks Man, I needed something good.

    Great Post and worth the read
  • TarmacTarmac Posts: 394
    They need a new gardner. That lawn looks awful!!!!
  • clackamasclackamas Posts: 5,615
    great post thanks
  • GATGAT Posts: 3,146
    My wife flew from San Diego to outside Richmond to visit our son in May and spent a month there. During that time our yougest daughter and son-in-law, who live in Jacksonville, Fl drove up and took her to Monticello and Williamsburg. She wasn't impressed with Williamsburg but liked Monticello. A lot of people don't realize that the Jefferson family sold the homestead after Thomas's death as he was deep in debt and the property was out of his decendents hands for many years. Also she said they counldn't help telling the story of Sally Henning but without any proof.
    USAF vet 1951-59
  • HootHoot Posts: 867
    Hi Al - The West portico (back porch) of Monticello was excavated in 1999, revealing the full extent of the original steps. It is likely that Schlag saw the porch as having six steps. Here's a link to the report on the archaeology of the West Portico: West Portico Archaeology You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the file and display it in your browser.

    Great report! Thanks for the story and the pics!

    Hoot
    From this hour I ordain myself loos'd of limits and imaginary lines. - Whitman
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,760 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Cool travelogue!

    Man, I wish I could go detecting in TJ's yard... d'you think they'd notice? I'd fill all the holes back in! image

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • image

    Great Post!!

    imageimage

    From Hoot's Archaeological link:

    "The West Portico was one of the last areas known to be under construction,
    and this archaeoligical research points to the fact that the steps were never
    in his lifetime finished in the form that Jefferson intended."

    Sounds like projects around my house... image

    If I only had a dollar for every VAM I have...err...nevermind...I do!! image

    My "Fun With 21D" Die State Collection - QX5 Pics Attached
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    Proud Owner of
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