The Colonial Homes Era

This episode of America’s Castles tours the estates of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Both homes provide examples of colonial architecture that reflect the eclectic personalities of their owners. Washington’s Mount Vernon is an 80,000 plantation on which Washington extended the original small home to please his new bride, Martha Custis. Jefferson’s Monticello is a showplace for his many passions, including architecture, agriculture and art. America’s Castles: The Colonial Era would be useful for classes on American History, American Culture, Political Science, Architecture and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• ambiance
• artifacts
• aspiration
• consequently
• cornices
• coup
• diminutive
• diverse
• embellishments
• emulate
• exemplify
• flaunt
• fruition
• innovative
• insight
• laborious
• lionized
• ornate
• perennial
• prolific
• quest
• touchstone
• unpretentious
• valid

1. George Washington loved spending time at his home, Mount Vernon. What was the appeal of Mount Vernon for Washington?

2. Mount Vernon is the second most visited house in America, after the White House. Why does Mount Vernon attract so many tourists? What is the appeal of this estate for Americans?

3. Myths about George Washington abound, from the cherry tree to his supposed wooden teeth. Why are there so many myths about Washington?

4. The house at Mount Vernon originally was a small structure. Why did George Washington undertake the renovations at Mount Vernon?

5. Discuss the irony of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson owning slaves.

6. The Marquis de Lafayette gave Thomas Jefferson the key to the Bastille. What did that gesture symbolize?

7. Why is Thomas Jefferson called the “Leonardo of America?”

8. Why is Thomas Jefferson the “father of American architecture?”

9. Thomas Jefferson spent much of his time working or reading. How did Jefferson preserve his privacy in a house that housed his many grandchildren and a constant stream of visitors?

10. Discuss why Monticello is a “three-dimensional autobiography” of Thomas Jefferson.

1. Design the plans for your own colonial home. How would your home reflect your occupation and your social standing in colonial society?

2. Create a poster illustrating some of the many accomplishments and inventions of Thomas Jefferson.

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