TJ and Me

You probably won't find me posting very often about my job. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. But this blog is more about the joys of life and sometimes jobs just don't stack up to all of the other great things going on. But last week I had the opportunity to attend the 5th quadrennial Presidential Sites & Libraries Conference in Charlottesville. The conference, presented by the (very cool) Miller Center for Public Affairs and the American Association for State and Local History, was for staff that work at any and all of the "official" presidential libraries and all of the presidential sites (including homes and museums). Needless to say, I was geeking out.

We were treated to great speakers: Joseph Ellis, Michael Bechloss, John Meacham and Annette Gordon-Reed; receptions in the Rotunda at the University of Virginia and on the lawn at Monticello; tours of Madison's Montpelier, Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland, and (of course) Jefferson's Monticello; and sessions on everything from engaging youth at presidential sites to partnering with the White House Historical Association. Pretty amazing stuff.

Thought you would enjoy a pic of TJ and me. Part of Monticello's new (amazing) visitor's center is a life size bronze of Thomas Jefferson. He was almost as tall as a Bentson!