Judy Woodruff Explores Thomas Jefferson's Complex Legacy at Monticello
Judy Woodruff, a senior correspondent and former anchor of PBS News Hour, visited Monticello, the Virginia home of Thomas Jefferson, as part of her series 'Crossroads: America at 250.' The series examines Jefferson's legacy 250 years after the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson, the third president of the United States, is known for drafting the Declaration, which proclaimed all men are created equal, despite his own life as a slave owner. Woodruff's exploration includes insights from Annette Gordon-Reed, a Harvard University professor and leading scholar on Jefferson. The visit highlights the contradictions between Jefferson's written ideals and his personal practices, including his relationship with the enslaved Hemings family. Monticello now features a memorial wall with the names of 610 enslaved individuals who lived and worked there, reflecting a broader recognition of their stories. 
