Cousin Karen's Visit

Cousin Karen Kratzer was in DC this past week visiting Bunny. The two of them took a country drive Friday out to visit us on the farm. It was such a nice day we all walked up to the gardens, which are starting to bloom thanks to all the rain we've had recently.

While we were wandering the paths and enjoying the sights of Spring, the farm's owner, Tom, came out to join us and took us on an impromptu tour of the property. It was the first time Nicole and I have really walked through the main house, and it was amazing! I always knew on some level that the home was important, but I had no idea. Apparently it's on the level of a Monticello, and actually has some features that make it even more unique and significant.

For example, several of the flagstones in the garden and in and around the home have dinosaur footprints. The footprints were the first discovered east of the Mississippi and have attracted researchers from around the world. The footprints are from two breeds of raptors and were found on the North Farm and used in the construction of the home. Also, several stone tiles used in the home are actually recycled material from the White House that were saved and stored after an early fire.

Another unusual architectural feature that approaches unique is the number of columns. Jefferson's decision to design the home with five columns (an odd number) was practically unheard of. Some think it was because Monroe was the fifth president, but it probably has more to do with the interior features of the home. The two drawing rooms along the back of the home have an even number of windows--an even number of columns would have blocked the view.

The home is also packed with artifacts including Dolly Madison's bedroom set, restored period murals, literally one-of-a-kind furniture designed and built by Jefferson, and fireplace mantles that were gifts to Monroe from Lafayette. Orders were given to Union troops to not harm the home since it was a Presidential residence, so the home suffered practically no damage during the War of Northern Aggression. I mean, the "Civil War".

It was nice to see Karen and Bunny, and even more fun since it meant a tour we've been dying to take since we moved in!