FOUNDING FARMER

Thomas Jefferson at Home

DESTINATION
Charlottesville, Virginia

DATES
May 1 – 6 (5 nights)

READINGS
Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia
Jefferson’s architectural drawings
Selected letters to John Adams

Description/Itinerary
Few of the founding fathers have the fascination of Thomas Jefferson. His achievements across so many domains dazzle us and his personal life continues to fill many volumes of controversial history.

But in Charlottesville itself, the town he essentially created, we can explore the life and writings of Jefferson in a rich and evocative way. What did he have to say about himself and about his home, the Commonwealth of Virginia? What did he have to say about the institution of slavery and about African Americans, the people who surrounded him in his daily life and whose labor made all of his accomplishments possible? He never resolved the contradictions between revolutionary and slaveowner, imperialist and farmer, but all of his works were intended to exemplify his ideal of how a good life ought to be lived. We can explore these contradictions in his more intimate writings and consider how his struggles influenced the development of the United States.

Charlottesville frequently wins popularity contests among American cities, even though it's really a small town. It owes much of its glory to its historical richness. The University of Virginia still preserves at its heart “Mr. Jefferson's academical village,” which he considered his greatest work. The tour of Monticello, his grand home includes his magnificent garden. Just now central Virginia is undergoing an archaeological renaissance in the investigations at Monticello, Montpelier (the home of James Madison), and Charlottesville itself of the lives of slaves and freed African Americans which until now were literally paved over, and we will have opportunities to visit these sites.
April is the kindest month here, when the dogwoods and azaleas bloom.

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QUOTE
Always take hold of things by the smooth handle.
-Thomas Jefferson

Leader
Rosemary Gould has lived in Charlottesville for more than 20 years. She leads literature discussions for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and others. She is very excited about the prospect of sharing the riches of this little town she loves (not to mention its fascinating founder) with the delightful participants of Classical Pursuits.

Accommodation
Omni Charlottesville Hotel (5 nights). Modern luxury adjacent to the historic downtown

Fees
US$2195 per person
Single supplement: US$575

Fee includes readings, accommodation, two meals a day, discussions, walking tours, talks, excursions, and admissions.

This trip has been priced in US$. Once you’ve made a reservation, we will invoice you in US$ (which is the fixed cost). As a Canadian company, we will also accept CAD$ at our current exchange rate at the time of payment(s).