Sightseeing in Richmond via IPhone

First picture is an ole' punch-clock at the Irish.

Second pic is a toucha' Jefferson on the side of a building -one of three accomplishments the revolutionary icon specified be engraved on his tombstone.

"Prezidint" is not one of the accomplishments he bothered to list.

With all the talk of our present crises - internal and external here in the 'states - it is important to remember that religious-based divisions are nothing new.  In fact they are quite old.

One of TJ's books on the shelf in his library at Monticello says "Plutarch" on the spine.  I wonder what TJ learned from Plutarch?

ole punch clock at the Irish

Jefferson's "The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom"

Thomas Jefferson's "Swiss Army Knife" - picture through glass

The "clock" in the back is an odometer (CLICK).  Before they built this new visitors center, the old visitors center contained what I remember to be this set of items, and the set was called "Jefferson's pockets."  In the old visitors center - this display set contained an additional item:  A pistol with a removable barrel.  The pistol is no longer on display with this set.  When I inquired as to why it was no longer there - I was told that "it was taken off display."  Since I could already see that - I asked about the decision process.  They told me it could have been removed for any number of reasons.  I didn't inquire any further.

I haven't been up there for a coupla' months - maybe they'll put it back - so the kids can see that Thomas Jefferson wasn't allergic to guns.  Or maybe they already have.  I think it would be a good idea.

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UPDATE 2/19/11  The "lighter" is a case for the mini-draftng set spread out.  I think the "ruler" is a tiny engineers scale, and the "feeler gauges" are ivory sheets riveted together to slide, a mini-notebook you write on and erase with a pencil.  Notes still on there.