Authenticating Thomas Jefferson's Artifacts
When Thomas Jefferson died many of his possessions were sold to pay his debts. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has located thousands of his belonging over the years but they believe there are even more still out there.
Susan Stein is the Senior Curator at Monticello and said the foundation only examines items that have a historical connection to Monticello.
Each year, the curators investigate about 50 artifacts. Stein said roughly 1 in every 20 items they examine was once owned by Jefferson and his family.
To authenticate items, the curators will try to trace its ownership leading back to Jefferson. They also try to determine when an object was made. Once missing from Monticello, a wall bracket was located and proven to be original to the home.
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Susan Stein is the Senior Curator at Monticello and said the foundation only examines items that have a historical connection to Monticello.
Each year, the curators investigate about 50 artifacts. Stein said roughly 1 in every 20 items they examine was once owned by Jefferson and his family.
To authenticate items, the curators will try to trace its ownership leading back to Jefferson. They also try to determine when an object was made. Once missing from Monticello, a wall bracket was located and proven to be original to the home.