Local Attractions
written by Brad Cox

The University of Virginia and its surrounding area are rich in natural beauty and American history.  We welcome the opportunity to acquaint you with the University, its environs, and the history of the area, including that of the University's founder, Thomas Jefferson.

A visit to Charlottesville (see map here) should include a visit to Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence, and Founder of the University of Virginia.  More recently and perhaps less notably, Bill Clinton began his presidency by giving an address on the steps of Monticello on the day of his inauguration before traveling up Highway 29 to Washington following the route Jefferson took to Washington to take office in 1803.  If you want a preview of what Jefferson looks like, take a look at a nickel.  On the reverse is a picture of his home, Monticello.  All humor aside, Monticello is an interesting place and full of clever devices that Jefferson adapted for his use.

Ash Lawn, home of James Monroe, the 5th president of the United States lies 2.5 miles beyond Monticello.   If you have time to visit Ash Lawn, you can see the table  on which the "Monroe Doctrine" was composed.  Monroe's law offices have been  integrated into campus and is a short walk from our building.  Monroe was a sitting president at the time of the inauguration of the University of Virginia.  James Madison, the 4th president of the United States, known as "the Father of the American Constitution", made his home at Montpelier, located about 15 minutes from Charlottesville.  Zachary Taylor, the 12th president of the United States also made his home close to Charlottesville.  Along with Jefferson and Monroe, he was a member of the first "Board of Visitors" of the University.

Among the other temporary residents of Charlottesville were Woodrow Wilson and Edgar Allan Poe, as well as Bobby and Teddy Kennedy, who attended law school at the University of Virginia.

Charlottesville is not only famous for politicians.  Meriwether Lewis and William Clark of the 1803 Lewis and Clark expedition were local lads.  Dr. Thomas Walker led the first expedition to the west to open up the trans-Appalacian area of the United States in the mid 1700's.  Much of the early history of the United States was played out within 150  miles of Charlottesville.  While the ambiance of Charlottesville is colonial  and Revolutionary America, if you would like to see an even earlier era in  colonial history, you should visit Williamsburg, Virginia on the Yorktown Peninsula.  Williamsburg  is a restored colonial village and is one of the oldest settlements in the  United States.  Near Williamsburg is Yorktown, the site of Cornwallis' surrender to General George Washington, which signaled the end of the Revolutionary War.  Finally, Washington, D.C. is only 100 miles distance from Charlottesville.

For the Civil War era, one should visit Richmond, the capital of the  Confederacy,  some 90 miles to the east of Charlottesville.  Many of the major battles  of the  U.S.  Civil War  between Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac were fought close to Charlottesville.  First and Second Bull  Run, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and finally, Appomattox Court House were among the largest battles ever fought  in the western hemisphere as the United States tried to resolve free vs. slave and  the survival of the Union.  Charlottesville was spared any major damage during  the Civil War.  The only military personage to visit Charlottesville during  the Civil War was George Armstrong Custer.  The citizens of Charlottesville (already dominated by academics from the University) showed their grit and resolve to resist the northern invader by offering George the keys to the city.  George Custer liked the treatment so much that he later returned to visit again during the war.

For those of you who are not history buffs, the area around Charlottesville has many small  wineries, all of which offer wine tastings.  When wine doesn't suit your mood, you can frequent one of Charlottesville's two local breweries, Starr Hill and South Street Brewery.  Charlottesville's Downtown Mall is reminiscent of the pedestrian malls in Europe and offers a plethora of locally owned  businesses and restaurants and a new amphitheater (August 2005).  An abundance of hiking and nature trails among the lakes and mountains in both the Blue Ridge and the Shenandoah Valley are located 30 miles outside of Charlottesville.  The Wintergreen Ski Resort is only a 40 minute drive from Charlottesville.  We encourage you to come and enjoy the area.