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There
is so much to see and do in Charlottesville, Virginia.
It was founded in 1762 and named for the king's wife,
Queen Charlotte. It is the home of two UNESCO World
Heritage Sites; University of Virginia and
Monticello. Both revolve around Thomas Jefferson,
our third president and the primary author of the
Declaration of Independence.
The University of Virginia, founded by Jefferson
in 1819 making it the oldest university in the country,
is worth a tour for the architecture as well as its
history.
The two often blend however as in the case of the
most famous building on campus, The Rotunda. The Rotunda
was designed by Jefferson as the centerpiece of his
college. It was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The
fact that it contained a library not a chapel speaks to
Jefferson's strong belief in the separation of Church
and state.
Jefferson planned the university with faculty
homes and student dorms centered around a communal lawn
creating an Academic Village where students and faculty
interacted. Today, you can see dorm rooms of some of the
most famous people who attended the University of
Virginia like Edgar Allan Poe and Woodrow Wilson.
Jefferson's home, Monticello, tells something
about paradox of the man who wrote "All men are created
equal," yet kept slaves and fathered unacknowledged
children with a young slave woman. Any hope of
understanding Jefferson, the man, through a visit to
Monticello requires that you step back from the right
and wrongs, the legal and illegal mores, of today and
view them as a citizen of the newly formed country of
the United States of America who had just rebelled and
separated themselves from Great Britain. In this brand
new United States of American, Thomas Jefferson was a
moral upstanding citizen. He owned slaves as did all his
contemporaries.
Monticello doesn't duck the slavery question or
the affair with Sally Hemming. It deals with the part
these enslaved people played in creating this beautiful
home and keeping it and the fields around it running
effectively.
There is a Slavery at Monticello Tour that offers
a closer look at the people who actually made Monticello
work as a home and a agricultural business. There is
even a Hemmings Family Tour providing in-depth
information on Sally Hemming and the Hemming family.
While we're in our 18th century
persona it's a good time to visit Michie Tavern.
In 1777 when Corporal William Mitchi built the tavern on
land left him by his father, Scotch John, it was the
Disney World of its day. He provided lodging, food,
entertainment and shopping all in one place.
The tavern had an upstairs Assembly Room which was
large enough for dances and was used by entertainers as
well as traveling doctors and dentists. It sometimes
served as a makeshift post office and school.
In 1927 Mrs. Mark Henderson, a local businesswoman and antique collector, bought the old tavern and had it moved and painstakingly reassembled at its present location just a half mile from Monticello.
Mitchie Tavern is a fun place to dine and so much
more. It offers a home-style meal and tours of the
tavern. Outside there are numerous shops ranging from
Civil War artifacts to gristmill.
The Old Mill Room is another place you are
at home in an earlier time. The Old Mill Room is
part of the Boars Head Inn Resort dating back to
Jefferson's time. The Old Mill Room was built from the
timbers of an abandoned gristmill dating back to 1834.
There will be much more about it in next issue's Elite
Street Eats column.
https://www.boarsheadresort.com/dining/old-mill-room
Jefferson School ties past to
present in Civil Rights. See
its story here.
Moving back into the 21st century, lets
visit Blenheim Vineyards, owned by famed
musician, Dave Matthews and Carter Mountain Orchard
which is so much more than a winery. More about both of these spots in next issue's Wine Trail https://blenheimvineyards.com/ http://chilesfamilyorchards.com/orchards/carter-mountain-orchard/
Charlottesville has one of the finest pedestrian
malls located in its historic downtown.
Charlottesville Historic Downtown Mall is a blend of
old and new; dining, shopping, theaters, art, and
culture all wrapped in a pet friendly, people friendly,
nature friendly setting of brick streets shaded by
ancient oaks.
You can find top drawer entertainment at the
restored 1931 Paramount Theater, watch a live music
concert at the Sprint Pavilion, or learn ice skating or
watch a hockey match at the Main St. Arena. Shopping
choices ranges from boutique clothing to art galleries.
Dining offers enough choices to raise your caloric count
just looking. Many have outdoor patios where your furry
friend can join you.
http://www.downtowncharlottesville.net/
We chose The Whiskey Jar where Owner/Chef Will Richey is so committed to sustainability food he bought his own farm. He also sources from other produce and livestock farms within an hour's drive. The whiskey choices are almost limitless here thus the name.
I
enjoyed my fried shrimp, mac and cheese and coldsalaw.
Desserts and appetizer choices were almost unlimited.
Favorite appetizer; Fried Oysters. Favorite dessert;
Dark Chocolate Brownie with Bourbon Vanilla
Ice Cream. How can you go wrong?
http://thewhiskeyjarcville.com
Main Street Market is just around the
corner from the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. It's
much more than a grocery. There are several local
food and dining choices inside like Orzo
Kitchen and Wine Bar where you can get small plates and
a glass of wine and Feast with lots of Asian delicacies,
cheese and so much more. Around the corner you find
Albemarle Baking Company for fresh baked goodies.
https://www.marketstreetmarket.net/
To really treat your sweet tooth visit
Gearhart's Chocolates. It's filled with innovative
candy made right in front of you. Tim Gearhart
went from Marines to classic cooking and pastries but
eventually found his way back to Charlottesville and
opened Gearhart's Chocolates in 2001. He ranges from
classic chocolate to blends using wine and whiskey like
Pod and Vine and Virginia Malt Whiskey Truffles.
https://www.gearhartschocolates.com
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Please Read I recently learned of a FTC law requiring web sites to let their readers know if any of the stories are "sponsored" or compensated. American Roads and Global Highways' feature writers are professional travel writers. As such we are frequently invited on press trips, also called fam trips. Most of the articles here are results of these trips. On these trips most of our lodging, dining, admissions fees and often plane fare are covered by the city or firm hosting the trip. It is an opportunity to visit places we might not otherwise be able to visit and bring you a great story. However, no one tells us what to write about those places. All opinions are 100% those of the author of that feature column. |
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