A last minute trip to Charlottesville, Virginia this past weekend proved to be an amazing 48 hours. Since our move to Norfolk, it has been exciting to realize how many fascinating places are within hours of our home.
I must admit that having the ability to pick up and go on impulse has added to our new lifestyle. Last week our son and daughter in law asked us to join them for part of a weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. They had rented a house that slept 6 for a 3 day weekend and encouraged us to come for a night. Since the trip is only 3 hours, it was possible to leave Sunday morning early and return Monday evening, but still experience a weekend away.
The ‘Ole Buckeye and I spent Monday at Monticello.
I had visited this remarkable home on a family vacation with my sisters over 50 years ago and it has always claimed a top spot in my memories not only for the family travel experience, but more so in it’s introduction to me of the fascinating man, Thomas Jefferson, and his amazing far reaching intellect. I remember as a child marveling at the attention to detail of his architecture and the creativity of his home. His unique personal inventions which made his life easier would have made him a star on shark tank.
Returning did not disappoint. In fact I further marveled at the mind of the man. It seems that he forever thought and acted upon his thoughts.
On my first visit the 2 things that I recall that have forever remained in my mind were the setting of the home with its spectacular view and the clock at the entry into the home.
Jefferson loved innovation and constantly changed the traditional to suit his needs. The “Great Clock” was a prime example. Quite possibly as a child, at the beginning of our tour in the entry of this magnificent home, the explanation of the clock was a true introduction to the man, and opened my eyes to just how incredible he was.
The 7 day clock has dual faces, one facing the entrance hall and the other facing outside. The clock has an hour and minute hand as well as a smaller second hand and is powered by 2 sets of large cannon-like ball weights. The weights are strung on ropes that descend on either side of the front corners of the entry hall down the walls and through holes in the floor into the cellar below. Jefferson placed labels on the side of the room to indicate the days of the week as the ball weights descended. Every Sunday the clock was wound with a crank key. He used a Chinese gong at the top of the home to ring on the hour that could be heard inside as well as all over the entire estate. The clock has been a fixture in Monticello since 1804.
1900. (Peter Fossett). “…As I entered the grand ballroom, there, above the door at the east, still stood the wonderful big clock, double-faced, with cannon balls of the Revolution for its weight. It marks the day of the week as well as the day time and its ponderous voice can be heard six miles away in the valley below. This Mr. Jefferson designed himself. And there, too, was the ladder he made–a folding one–to reach the lofty clock, and the big iron key he used to wind it with.”
The clock is fully functional today and was as impressive to me on this visit as it was years ago.
As we toured the home and gardens, I was enthralled by so many of the details of everyday living that were improved by his careful planning. So much seemed new to me…even though I am sure it was brought to my attention before. So many little nuances that made such a difference in his lifestyle and those around him.
It was a 98 degree day, and had it not been for the temperature, we would have walked the grounds further. As it was, we stayed longer than the ‘Ole Buckeye had anticipated, but he too thoroughly enjoyed the day. We plan to go back possibly in the fall when the landscape and plantings will look completely different.
The weekend was not only enjoyable because of our historical interests. Charlottesville, paralleling the Blue Ridge Mountains, is the home of the University of Virginia, surrounded by Virginia wine country and a mecca of fine dining and craft breweries. I envision making this 3 hour junket often in the years ahead.
