University of Virginia Library

With the cares and delights of his family, his
books and his farm, he mingled the gratification of
his devotion to the Fine Arts, particularly architecture.
He superintended [in 1781-2] the construction
of his elegant mansion, which had been commenced
some years before, and was already in a habitable
condition. The plan of the building was entirely
original in this country. He had drawn it himself
from books, with a view to improve the architecture
of his countrymen, by introducing an example of
the tastes and arts of Europe. The original design
of the structure, which was executed before his
travels in Europe had supplied him with any models,
is allowed by European travelers to have been infinitely
superior, in taste and convenience, to that
of any other house in America. The fame of the
Monticellean philosopher having already spread over
Europe, his hospitable seat was made the resort of
scientific adventurers, and of dignified travelers
from many parts of that continent.—Rayner's Life
of Jefferson, p. 221.