The Cavalier daily :: Tuesday, March 13, 1973 :: University of Virginia Library

Recently retired after 22 years as Monticello's chief hostess,
Mrs. Leonard Tilman maintains an insight into the life of the
University's founder which few can surpass.

Speaking about Mr. Jefferson's ideas on education, she
observed, "Jefferson was privately educated until he was
seventeen. He was interested in public education: a system of
free elementary schools, academies and a University with students
of genius being educated at public expense."

"Monticello and the University of Virginia are an interesting
comparison," she added,"as Monticello was a project of Mr.
Jefferson's young life and the University was a project of his
older age."

Regarding Mr. Jefferson's ideas on the University, Mrs. Tilman
noted his feelings about the first faculty,which he helped select in
1825. He was particularly happy with the five English professors.
"Our five English professors give us perfect satisfaction," she
quotes from his writings. "The professors of chemistry and
modern philosophy are chosen among our own citizens.
Professorships are the basis of government and architecture."

Mr. Jefferson's educational philosophy underscored his faith
in diligent self-improvement. "Jefferson felt that an employed
mind is a happy mind," Mrs. Tilman related. "He made a plan
for his daughters such that they could employ all the hours
between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in a constructive manner."

Mrs. Tilman's admiration of Mr. Jefferson focuses on his
diversity of interests. "I think of all the Founding Fathers, he's
the most contemporary – such a universal man."

The Monticello tours developed significantly during Mrs.
Filman's 22 years. The annual number of tourists has risen from
201,000 to 475,000. "Sometimes during the summer, we have
4,000 visitors a day," she said. The tours have expanded to
include facilities for deaf persons and foreign guests through such
additions as the printing of flyers.

The hostesses at Mr. Jefferson's home are selected on the basis
of their speaking voice and enthusiasm for the job, according to
Mrs. Tilman. In addition, the hostesses must pursue research
during the year on particular facets of Mr. Jefferson's life, from
architecture to archeology.

"Preparation for hostesses would be at a loss without the
informative books of Mr. Dumas Malone, Mr. Merrill Peterson,
and Mr. Bernard Mayo, who have served at the University as
distinguished professors," she added.

Mrs. D.O. Worthington is succeeding Mrs. Tilman as chief
hostess. She is excited about her new job but said that Mrs.
Tilman will be extremely difficult to replace. "Mrs. Tilman is
Monticello."