I was already present at Monticello at 8 am, fearing that this may be a very popular attraction. And indeed, a group of schoolchildren also just arrived. Fortunately, they got on their own tour and I didn't see them again. While waiting for the shuttle bus that takes you to the house, I admired the new visitor center that has just opened a few days ago. It has reserved ample room for a huge museum shop. There's also an exhibition about Jefferson as an architect, how he designed and built and where he got his ideas. Well done.

The tour takes about 30 minutes and takes you through the rooms on the ground floor. The house has period furniture in it, though not all belonging to Jefferson. He died bankrupt and much was sold after his death (including his slaves). Via the use of skylights and high windows, the rooms appear very bright.

The tour is quite superficial and deals mostly with Jefferson as a person. After that, you're free to roam the grounds on your own. That includes the underground passages and Mulberry Row, where the laborers and slaves lived.

Later I also paid a visit to the Academical Village of the University of Virginia. I didn't succeed at first (in the morning) because all parking spots in the immediate area were already taken. All those American students with cars of course! So I returned after dinner. It's really worth the effort. The students live in small rooms that hold nothing more than 2 beds and some personal stuff. As it was a warm evening, most of them had their doors opened up to the central lawn. Especially if you're over 30 you might feel a little out of place here. But you're free to have a look around. You'll be overwhelmed by its strong neoclassicist layout.