Jefferson as a Renaissance Man

This past August I had the awesome opportunity to stop at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Virginia. Besides walking around the grounds which included a garden, a cemetery, and Mulberry Row (where most of the slaves lived), I also was able to tour the home.

While I was able to take numerous photographs outside, we were not allowed to take any inside. However, I did purchase a book that you can look at which has numerous pictures of inside Monticello. You can also view the inside by using the website that I attached below.

If you want to view the tweets on my account to view the pictures better, go to @bohndrake and scroll down (yes, I know it will take a while) until you reach August 9.  Searching for #devilshistory may be more effective.

In Unit I of our course we cover the Renaissance and analyze the idea of a polymath or "Renaissance man." You will create symbolic Renaissance Man visuals as well as writing an essay on a modern polymath.  Many people would consider Thomas Jefferson to be a Renaissance man. By studying Monticello you can discover his diversified interests and his spirit of innovation.

Use these tweets and your own research to explain why many historians consider Jefferson to be a Renaissance Man. Explain your reasons in well developed comments below.  Feel free to respond to other's comments with your feedback.

(Hint: To follow these tweets from the start of my tour to the end, it might benefit you from start at the bottom of the image and scroll up. )

Keep innovating!

Link to Monticello site

1. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Pennsylvania, USA

   Besdies history, visiting @TJMonticello today inspired me w/ideas for innovation in class, thanks @TeachMonticello !

   

   4 retweets9 favorites
2. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9West Virginia, USA

   Some of the clocks of Monticello- there were amazing ones inside but no photos allowed there #devilshistory

   

   

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3. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9West Virginia, USA

   More pics from Monticello including the fish pond and info on the grave yard #devilshistory #UShistory #Jefferson

   

   

   

   

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4. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Martinsburg, WV

   Nail making and the significance of charcoal at Monticello #devilshistory #UShistory #Monticello

   

   

   

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5. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9West Virginia, USA

   Some pictures from the grounds of Monticello and the " underground " section #devilshistory #UShistory #virginia

   

   

   

   

   0 retweets1 favorite
6. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

   Since I'm stuck in Virginia Rain, I'll share some pics from Monticello earlier #devilshistory

   

   

   

   

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7. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

   Passing many signs for civil war battlefields today , wish I could stop at them all !! #roadtrip

   0 retweets1 favorite
8.  Ms. B-D retweeted

   Bae-mon Targaryen ‏@TravelLiveTeach  Aug 9

   @bohndrake Being at Monticello was one of the hardest, soul crushing, enlightening, exciting and nauseating experiences ever.

   View conversation1 retweet1 favorite
9. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

   Reconstructed cabin of slaves quarters , they believe one on this spot belonged to John Hemmings #devilshistory

   

   

   

   0 retweets2 favorites
10. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

    The one slaves quarters rebuilt on Mulberry Row, yet Monticello housed up to 200 slaves at a time #devilshistory

    

    1 retweet0 favorites
11. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

    Beer cellar at Monticello #devilshistory #beerhistory

    

    

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12. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

    Monticello is full of artifacts that show he was a "Renaissance Man"- telescopes, animal bones, books #devilshistory

    

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13. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

    TJ's fave shape for rooms : octagon - believed it deflected light better than 90 degree angles #devilshistory #UShistory

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14. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

    Monticello was a 40 year construction project #devilshistory

    0 retweets1 favorite
15. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9

    Jefferson's grave, notice what it does and DOESN'T say. Time to sit and have a chat with him #devilshistory

    

    

    

    0 retweets3 favorites
16. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

    The remains of the joiners shop ( woodworking) at Monticello #devilshistory #UShistory #Jefferson

    

    

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17. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

    The cook's room , next to the kitchen at Monticello #devilshistory #jefferson

    

    

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18. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

    The kitchen at Monticello where enslaved cooks made many French meals #devilshistory #Jefferson

    

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19. Ms. B-D ‏@bohndrake  Aug 9Virginia, USA

    Abt 30% of the glass and 95% of the bricks at Monticello are original #Jefferson #devilshistory

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20. Ms.