For decades they hid Jefferson's mistress now Monticello is making room for Sally Hemings

[TexasTowelie]

CHARLOTTESVILLE — The room where historians believe Sally Hemings slept was just steps away from Thomas Jefferson's bedroom. But in 1941, the caretakers of Monticello turned it into a restroom.

The floor tiles and bathroom stalls covered over the story of the enslaved woman, who was owned by Jefferson and had a long-term relationship with him. Their liaison was a scandal during his life and was denied for decades by his descendants. But many historians now believe the third president of the United States was the father of her six children.

Time, and perhaps shame, erased all physical evidence of her presence at Jefferson's home here, a building so famous that it is depicted on the back of the nickel.

Now the floor tiles have been pulled up and the room is under restoration — and Hemings's life is poised to become a larger part of the story told at Monticello.

Read more: http://www.roanoke.com/news/virginia/for-decades-they-hid-jefferson-s-mistress-now-monticello-is/article_7c24da9d-c173-5a4c-b023-d78346111f5e.html

[kimbutgar]

1. Now I have a reason to go

I read a book about her years ago and was fascinated by the story. Now next time I go to the DC area I will plan a visit. I enjoyed going to Mt. Vernon by boat years ago. They actually had restored the slave quarters there.

[unc70]

3. Monticello is a long, slow way from DC

It is not like going to Mount Vernon. While only about 120 miles, the trip from D.C. is typically almost 2.5 hours and can easily stretch to 3.0. (Depends on where in DC and the traffic.) Unfortunately there is really not a good route.

ETA You can get Amtrak to Charlottesville from DC.

[kimbutgar]

4. We went to Colonial Williamsburg and the Busch gardens.

I remember driving to this area from Dulles to Richmond and it took 3 hours. We would make it a trip back to Williamsburg and then Monticello. MY son is autistic and this is how I teach him history is by taking him to historical areas. But driving back to D.C. From Williamsburg on a back roads I couldn't get over the number of churches! It's like Jesus land out there and the radio was either Rush or some Christian minister! We finally found a easy listening station. Next time I'm paying extra door Sirrius if we make that drive.

[exboyfil]

2. Mistress is not the right word

for someone who is held in slavery.

Rape comes to mind. Let's go with sexually abused slave".