America’s First Daughter & Monticello Virtual Tour

A few years ago I shared a book review of America’s First Daughter. I loved it then and I still love it today, many books and stories later.

America’s First Daughter

I carried the book along to read while on vacation in D.C. and the surrounding areas. I read about Jefferson at night and then heard stories about him on a tour the next day.

Dixie Delights in D.C.

I fell in love with Patsy Jefferson and, while this book is historical fiction, have no doubt about the influence she had and role she played in the founding of our country.  I was also so surprised by the struggles she faced in her marriage, at home and financially.   I, of course, also loved reading about Thomas Jefferson and learning more about his personal life, views and struggles.

Official synopsis:

From her earliest days, Patsy Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate, protector, and constant companion in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France.

It is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that fifteen-year-old Patsy learns about her father’s troubling liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age. Meanwhile, Patsy has fallen in love–with her father’s protégé William Short, a staunch abolitionist and ambitious diplomat. Torn between love, principles, and the bonds of family, Patsy questions whether she can choose a life as William’s wife and still be a devoted daughter.

Her choice will follow her in the years to come, to Virginia farmland, Monticello, and even the White House. And as scandal, tragedy, and poverty threaten her family, Patsy must decide how much she will sacrifice to protect her father’s reputation, in the process defining not just his political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.

Monticello Virtual Tour

The only regret I have from our trip is that we did not get to visit Monticello.  In all honesty, it just wasn’t on my radar until reading America’s First Daughter. I’ve looked at trying to go a few times over the last couple of years, but other destinations always won out.

Well, much to Honey’s delight (because he said he can now scratch “taking Amanda to Monticello off his list”), I spent the better part of THREE hours taking a full virtual tour of Monticello this week!

Monticello Virtual Tour

The house is wonderfully restored and the virtual tour takes you into rooms on all three stories. I urge you to use a computer, rather than a phone, and be sure to click on ALL of the icons to reveal text, photos and videos explaining what you are seeing.

If you’ve done any fantastic virtual experiences or tours, I’d love for you to share in the comments!

Puzzle of the Day

I am almost sad to say that this is the last puzzle of the day and our last day of school! I never dreamed y’all would love them so much!

Yesterday’s answer: 67

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7 thoughts on “America’s First Daughter & Monticello Virtual Tour

  1. I had visited Monticello not long before I read this book and it helped being able to picture the house, especially his bed, while reading the book. However this book is the reason we found the marker in Paris where he lived and found his statue along the Seine. My high school was named after TJ and our school paper was the Monticello which along with my BFF living not that far from it, was the reason for going. Charlottesville is also really cute, with some good places to eat and shop so still a good place to visit and tour :)

  2. I thought the answer to yesterday’s puzzle would have been – one time. Two can be subtracted from 100 only one time. The next time it would be subtracted from 98, and the next time it would be subtracted from 96, etc.

  3. No more puzzles!!! We have school until JUNE – what will I do LOL?! Really have enjoyed doing them with my boys, who are just one year behind yours. Do you have a source you would share for other puzzle ideas, or did you just come up with them?

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