How Did Monticello Contribute To The Enlightenment

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Thomas Jefferson, remembered as one of the most renowned Founding Fathers, built his home, Monticello, to showcase many artifacts that represent the Enlightenment in America. Monticello is a monument to many ideals of the Enlightenment including; science, architecture, individualism, and reason. The design of Jefferson's house was to showcase these concepts from his clock that goes through the floor, to his personal study with various scientific instruments. However the room that I find that most encompases his veiw of the Elightenment is the Parlor, and his collection of paintings. The paintings that hang in Jefferson’s parlor include that of classic Enlightenment pieces, the Penitent Magdalen, but is most importantly the home of some of the greatest minds in the world John Locke, Isaac Newton, and Francis Bacon. Often referred to as Jefferson’s “Trilogy” these paintings were placed where …show more content…
George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin are portrayed proudly so visitors will recognize the strength that Americans offered to the Enlightenment. Each of these men not only helped to form America into a new nation but left behind great ideals of Enlightenment thinking. James Madison wrote some of the Federalist Papers that helped to state how a government should run. Benjamin Franklin was an ambassador for our nation and an inventor that provided strong beliefs that are still revered. George Washington was the first President of the United States and set the precedent for how our nation should be run. He modeled the ideal form of liberty within a nation. Each of these men were thought to be of great importance to Jefferson or else they would not be displayed on his home. Jefferson had a deep respect for these men and the things which they accomplished and wanted to remember them with their paintings proudly displayed in