Field Trip: Charlottesville, VA

This past week, our class took a field trip to Charlottesville, Virginia. It was such a beautiful and historic town! The two most historic places in Virginia are Montpelier and Monticello, and we were lucky enough to go to both! 

First we visited Montpelier in Orange, Virginia. Montpelier was the home of our fourth President, James Madison and the First Lady, Dolley Madison. Located on 2,700 acres, Montpelier was where James and Dolley Madison spent most of their time and lives together other than in Washington DC. It was Montpelier where James Madison shaped the ideas that would become the U.S. Constitution. This estate was beautiful inside and out; there is much to offer there like the estate, the gardens, historic buildings (like the slave houses), forest trails, and the Madison’s graveyard. Here are a few pictures I took at Montpelier, hope you enjoy!!

 The front entrance to Montpelier. James Madison had two separate wings added to the home for more room for his family.

                                                    Example of Dolley Madison's wardrobe.

                                                              Kitchen and slave houses.

                                               Back view of Montpelier and slave homes.

                                            Arched exit from Montpelier's garden to pastors.

                                                           Back view of the Madison's home.

 

The next day, we arrived to  Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia. Monticello is the home of our third President, Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson was the founder of the Declaration of Independence and The University of Virginia. Monticello was designed by Thomas Jefferson, he wrote the floor plans for his home and made sure it was built to his absolute liking! Thomas Jefferson served our country for over forty years, during this time he was over the Louis and Clarke expedition, The Louisiana Purchase, and the Embargo act of 1807. His main focus was to help the freedom of slaves, even though he had slaves himself and over freed a few during his life. Thomas Jefferson passed away on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was an influential President for our country and his home is an amazing historical site everyone should see!!

                                                            The entrance to Monticello.

                                  The "garden house" Thomas Jefferson built to view his gardens and land.

                                 Close up of the "garden house" with my classmate, Gina Hicks.

                                               The class with the Thomas Jefferson statue.

                                                    The back view of the Monticello.

I hope you enjoy the pictures from these two beautiful places. Both Montpelier and Monticello are two historical landmarks that everyone should visit, it was informative on our past presidents, and simply amazing.