Jefferson Historic Sites Allergic to Jefferson
(First in the "Shining City" Series)
by Robert L. Pyles, MD
October 2023
Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, was named in 1987 as a “National Historical Landmark” by the World Heritage Society and is considered a “national treasure.” This is the only presidential and private home to be so honored by UNESCO.
They note that he is the author of the Declaration of Independence, the Statute for Religious Freedom, the founder of the University of Virginia, and the third president. He also doubled the size of the United States. He was an “architectural genius,” a philosopher, a scientist, and a historian.
The achievements of Thomas Jefferson are truly phenomenal and legendary. The effects of his legacy of freedom and liberty have resounded through the ages, and continue to serve us today.
Yet the current official tours of both Monticello and the University of Virginia largely ignore these monumental accomplishments. Instead, they attack Jefferson on three major grounds: (1) his failure to deal with slavery in the Declaration of Independence, (2) his presumed long-term affair with one of his slaves, and (3) his having “stolen” the land for the University of Virginia from Native Americans.
The only facts that one is likely to glean from the tour at the University of Virginia is that is that it was founded by a slave-owner, on land stolen from Native Americans, while taking time off from his perpetual affair with a slave woman. The tour at Monticello is not very different.
All of these statements are either totally, or largely untrue. I will be illustrating those points in the next series of chapters.
__________________________
Among other credits, Dr. Pyles served as President of the American Psychoanalytic Association and was awarded the honor of “Distinguished Life Fellow” of the American Psychiatric Association.
(First in the "Shining City" Series)
by Robert L. Pyles, MD
October 2023
Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, was named in 1987 as a “National Historical Landmark” by the World Heritage Society and is considered a “national treasure.” This is the only presidential and private home to be so honored by UNESCO.
They note that he is the author of the Declaration of Independence, the Statute for Religious Freedom, the founder of the University of Virginia, and the third president. He also doubled the size of the United States. He was an “architectural genius,” a philosopher, a scientist, and a historian.
The achievements of Thomas Jefferson are truly phenomenal and legendary. The effects of his legacy of freedom and liberty have resounded through the ages, and continue to serve us today.
Yet the current official tours of both Monticello and the University of Virginia largely ignore these monumental accomplishments. Instead, they attack Jefferson on three major grounds: (1) his failure to deal with slavery in the Declaration of Independence, (2) his presumed long-term affair with one of his slaves, and (3) his having “stolen” the land for the University of Virginia from Native Americans.
The only facts that one is likely to glean from the tour at the University of Virginia is that is that it was founded by a slave-owner, on land stolen from Native Americans, while taking time off from his perpetual affair with a slave woman. The tour at Monticello is not very different.
All of these statements are either totally, or largely untrue. I will be illustrating those points in the next series of chapters.
__________________________
Among other credits, Dr. Pyles served as President of the American Psychoanalytic Association and was awarded the honor of “Distinguished Life Fellow” of the American Psychiatric Association.