Another stunning historical landmark, Washington's Mansion in Mt. Vernon, Virginia.
Credit: Image from Art.com
Sunday's Silence
"One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more."
"The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.”
"It is always better to have no ideas than false ones; to believe nothing, than to believe what is wrong.”
"I have seen enough of one war never to wish to see another."
"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.”
~All quotes from Thomas Jefferson
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Virginia ~ Monticello
Continuing our look at New England and the founding fathers of the United States of America, although Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence are associated with Independence Hall and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson actually lived in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In fact, he was the governor of Virginia from 1779 - 1781.
In 1757, long before Jefferson became governor, he inherited from his father 5000 acres of land where he eventually designed and built his home, Monticello. Jefferson died on Independence Day in 1826, and his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, inherited the Virginia property. Monticello was owned by several more individuals and, in 1923, was purchased by a private non-profit organization: The Thomas Jefferson Foundation. The building was restored to its original archetectural design and now functions as a museum. Below is an image of this beautiful and historic landmark.
Credit: Image from Art.com
Philadelphia ~ The Declaration of Independence
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Thus are the now famous words included in the Declaration of Independence as penned by Thomas Jefferson.
Here is an image of Thomas Jefferson reading his rough draft of the Declaration of Independence to Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson drafted the document in June 1776 and it was printed on the afternoon of July 4, 1776.
Imagine what it would have been like to have Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin in the same room. Just imagine the exchange of ideas and opinions as they formed their vision for the new Colonies!
Credit: Image from Art.com
Philadelphia ~ Independence Hall
I don't recall a lot of details about my tour through Independence Hall when I visited Philadelphia in the mid-1980s. As a native Californian, I recall being aware of the contrast in the age of the buildings. Downtown San Francisco is so very much younger than historic Philadelphia! I remember walking on highly polished floors inside the building and looking at painted portraits hung on the walls.
To the right is a view of Independence Hall I do remember! The red bricks, the white framed windows, and the archetecture that so certainly defines New England. Oh the era that was begun here. It is truly awe-inspiring.
Credit: Image from Art.com