The top official at Montpelier — James and Dolley Madison’s estate in Orange County — was named the Charlottesville region’s tourism person of the year on Tuesday.

A $55 million effort to transform the site of Thomas Jefferson’s historic home, Monticello, is on the verge of completion.

From books to letters to artifacts, people around the world can now learn all aspects of Thomas Jefferson’s life without ever stepping on the grounds of Monticello

Home of Thomas Jefferson

It was fitting that the president honored 72 new Americans and reflected on Thomas Jefferson’s legacy during the 46th-annual Independence Day and Naturalization Ceremony at Monticello.

While thousands flocked to hear President Bush speak at Monticello on Friday morning, Dana Palmer stood by the side of Route 20 dressed like Lady Liberty to teach her kids a lesson in free speech.

MONTPELIER STATION — James and Dolley Madison’s Montpelier is swarming with people adding final touches to the mansion.

MONTPELIER STATION — For several years, middle and high school teachers have studied one of the nation’s most important documents at the Center for the Constitution.

President Bush’s tour of Monticello was his first of his presidency.

Monticello’s Fourth of July presidential event was a success for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, a feel-good opportunity for the president and a lesson in losing friends and influencing your enemies for shouting protesters.

“You all have one thing in common, that sheer love of freedom,” Bush said to an audience of more than 3,000 people. “This honor for freedom resides in every man and woman and child.”
Bush is the fourth sitting president to attend Monticello’s July 4 ceremony, after Gerald Ford (1976), Harry S. Truman (1947) and Franklin D. Roosevelt (1936). The visit to Monticello was the first of his presidency.

His greeting to the audience - many of them waving red, white and blue fans to keep themselves cool on the muggy July morning - was plain and simple: “Happy Fourth of July.“ But the 43rd president quickly delved into a more complex message of American citizenry and freedom.

“What better thing can I teach them about free speech than bringing them out here to show them free speech?” said Dana Palmer as she stood by the side of Route 20 dressed like Lady Liberty to teach her kids a lesson in free speech.

“I am very proud of my new country,” Hataw Saadi Taha said. “Especially on the Fourth of July.”

George W. Bush is a thoroughly good and decent man. He deserves our respect both as an individual and as our president. I