Jefferson’s Wine Travels: Maps, Silver & Glass from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries

On display will be a series of more than 40 original maps and prints of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, including “miniature maps.” The maps and prints focus on the wine growing regions of Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, and the Rhone and Loire Valleys. The original maps include the work of influential cartographers Gerald Mercator and Abraham Ortelius.

One gallery is being set aside to pay a special tribute to Thomas Jefferson who is considered the wine connoisseur of the 18th century. A series of original maps from 1787 will trace Jefferson’s historic tour through the wine growing regions of France that same year. The maps will be complemented by a display of original silver and glass from the 17th and 18th centuries, including silver pieces that would have been very similar to the tableware used by Jefferson while he was in France as well as at Monticello. 18th century hand blown wine glasses and decanters will also be displayed.

Celebrated author and expert on Jefferson and wine, James Gabler, will speak at the opening reception on August 7, 2010