Like it is for many of you, things are hectic in the summer here at the TJB. We will be on summer vacation beginning Memorial Day and getting back into the swing of things right after Labor Day.

Have a wonderful Independence Day (forgetting neither Thomas Jefferson’s, John Adams’s, nor James Monroe’s Death Day) and we will see you in September!

Photo by _neona_

Artist's representation of new space

Over at Mr. Jefferson’s University, where they take their landscape architecture seriously, UVAToday reports that students have transformed a space from waste to grace with some well thought out efforts.

Three landscape architecture students have sought to pad their resumes impress their professors put their schooling to practical use. The project, now well off the ground (pun intended), has taken an unused area in front of a dining hall and made a  student-friendly hangout that will provide communal shade for years to come.

In addition, the students added native edibles to a nearby hillside where both students and wildlife will presumably benefit.

Click here to read the much-better written full article at UVAToday and see the photos.

Photo by freeparking
File under: Architecture, Gardening, Mr. Jefferson’s University

Not a Poplar Forest Poplar Tree

As Poplar Forest basks in the glory of its recent restoration (click here to read more about it), and sister-site Monticello rejoices in the new Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center, the press (the Associated Press to be exact) is still taking notice.

Click here to read a recent article in the Dallas Morning News about Poplar Forest and go here to read the triumph that is the new TJ Visitor Center.

Photo by Valley Vistas

Previously known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May.

Originally created to honor the Union soldiers killed in the Civil War, Memorial Day honors men and women who die in the service of their country.

Perhaps because of its placement on the calendar, it has become less a somber day of mourning and remembrance, and more the kickoff to the summer vacation.

To read the original Memorial Day Order from May of 1868, click here.

Click here to find out about the true spirit of the holiday.

Its not too late to send a Memorial Day e-card. Here are some selections.

We here at the Jeffersonia Blog would like to pay our respects and extend our gratitude to those killed in the defense and preservation of this great country, as well as to their families. The freedoms laid down by the Founding Fathers are still attainable if our nation, as a whole, is still willing to die for them.

Source: Wikipedia
Photo by sister72

If you love heart-warming stories about perserverance and fulfilling life-long dreams keep reading.

Here is a must read story about the oldest graduate of the UVA class of ‘09. After six years, two heart attacks, and having to relearn how to walk after nine months of intensive physicial therapy, 67 years young Jim Cecil donned the cap and gown at the University of Virginia this year.

Congratulations, Jim!  A job well done.

The article can be found here at UVA Today.

Photo by CarbonNYC

A graduate student in Architectural History at Mr. Jefferson’s University will research the mythicial botanic garden Thomas Jefferson dreamed up for the school.

Armed with research cash money, Lily Fox-Bruguiere will look further into the garden that Mr. Jefferson designed as part of UVA, but never came to fruition.

To read the full article at UVA Today, click here.

For the University Dept. page on Architectural History, go here.

To read about the Academical Village, please click here now.

Photo by metaxin

Mrs. Madison is on the right

Today is Dolly Madison’s 241st birthday.

Dolly Payne Todd Madison was born on this day in 1768 (minus two surnames).

To read our post about Scotchtown, a Virginia National Historic Landmark, that formerly was touted as Mrs. Madison’s childhood home (and now still proudly claims Patrick Henry as a former owner) click here.

For an excellent short history of Scotchtown by curator Catherine Dean, click here.

In celebration of her birthday, go here for an ode to Dolly’s legacy (often found today in the bakery aisle).

Photo by tvol

Here’s what’s happening in Jefferson Country heading into Memorial Day 2009:

• This week famed TJ-impressario impersonator Clay Jenkison talks Symposiums (this one by the Lewis & Clark Fort Mandan Foundation) Click here for more
• Ongoing tours at Tuckahoe Plantation see here for details
• May 20th – The Jefferson Library hosts a talk on Ben Franklin
• May 23rd – Lynne Richmond Memorial Day Lecture at Tufton Farm
• May 23rd – Center for Historic Plants open house
• Monticello Signature Tours throughout the summer. Click here for times and tickets.
• May 27th – Jefferson Library hosts talk on Slavery (email them to register). Go here.
• May 30th – Monticello hosts a talk on orchids of Virginia at the new Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center
  
• May 30th – Poplar Forest is holding a fence building event. Its unclear whether this is a Tom Sawyer-inspired attempt to get visitors to actually build it for them, but renovation at P.F. is about done. Should be worth checking out

Photo by theakshay

One of the best known Thomas Jefferson impersonators, Clay Jenkinson, host of the Jefferson Hour podcast, is hosting a jaunt through Mr. Jefferson country in the fall of 09.

The seven day trek will incorporate much of the “A” and “B” Tour destinations including Monticello, Poplar Forest, Tuckahoe Plantation, UVA, Natural Bridge, the Jefferson Memorial, Ash-Lawn Highland, Montpelier, as well as a few unique stops such as the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, The Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, and dinner at the Founding Farmer’s Restaurant in Washington, DC.

If you enjoy history and travelling through Jefferson Country, this sounds like a really neat opportunity.

For more info, as well as a more detailed itinerary, click here.

For info about the Mr. Jenkinson-led Lewis and Clark tour, go here.

Click here to read a review of the Founding Farmers restaurant in the Washington Post.

As usual, if it is within any of our readers’ means and will to attend this unique tour, please let us know about it!

There is a new sheriff dean in town (if your town is Charlottesville, Virginia, home to Mr. Jefferson’s University’s School of Architecture).

Former U of F architecture professor Kim Tanzer will take over the helm beginning July 1st. Architecture was near and dear to Mr. Jefferson’s heart, and its interesting that among the four goals the University is expecting Dean-to-be Tanzer to accomplish in her first term is the “expansion of the understanding of Thomas Jefferson’s linking of education, architectural space and democratic citizenship as expressed in his design of the Academical Village”. Sounds like one of those pass/fail kind of things…

Best of luck to Professor Tanzer – make TJ proud!

Source: Daily Progress
Photo by Kevin Dooley