‘The Levys of Monticello’ is historical and informative
Category: MoviesCategory: Television and Streaming
Most people think of Monticello as simply the home of Thomas Jefferson. Yes, he did build it however the story of this estate is much deeper than simply being where Jefferson lived. This history of this property is multicultural and it is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jefferson built the estate with the help of his enslaved people, which is a sore spot on his reputation. He collected the largest private library, and as a statesman, architect, and a patriot, he was beloved by people everywhere. When he died he was in deep debt. In 1831 his is family sold the estate to a Mr. Barclay who let it go into disrepair. Finally in 1834 Uriah P. Levy purchased the property and remade it into the beautiful house and grounds it had been when Jefferson was there.
Levy was a deeply patriotic man, Jewish, and a fan of Jefferson’s belief in religious freedom for all. He was a 5th generation American and his ancestors were among the founders of Savannah. Met with anti-Semitism throughout his life, Uriah rose in ranks to become a captain in the U. S. Navy over his 50 years in the Navy.
When he died in 1862, Monticello was supposed to go to either the U.S., the State of Virginia, or some synagogues. But his brothers and sisters sued the estate causing a family rift. Finally in 1879 Uriah’s nephew Jefferson Levy bought out the other heirs and took control of Monticello. During the fight the estate had again gone into disrepair. Jefferson Levy returned the estate to its former glory, adding additional touches.
Anti-semitism was rising again and there was pressure from anti-semites to take over Monticello, however Jefferson Levy was triumphant.
The story of the Levy family’s ownership of the estate is brought to light in this amazing documentary detailing how both slavery and anti-semitism effected the property. The Jewish Levy family owned Monticello longer than Thomas Jefferson yet their story had all been erased until, in 1923 due to financial difficulties, Jefferson Levy sold the estate to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation who eventually learned of the family’s involvement and finally made the entire story public.
The Levys were interested in preserving the property. Being Jewish brought them plenty of turmoil yet they persevered through the 89 years the family owned Monticello.
While this is a story of Monticello, it is also a story of American history and especially the history of slavery and Jews in the country. The anti-Semitism encountered by the Levys is, unfortunately, very active today. To think that a Jewish family helped restore and preserve the home of one of America’s founding fathers is not what people want to know. Yet, they cannot ignore this fact, and indeed, Rachel Levy, Uriah’s mother, is buried on the premises.
This little-known story detailing an important chapter in United States history is now brought to light in this impressive and unforgettable film. Monticello is one of America’s great homes. The White House, Graceland, and Mount Vernon are others that are on this list, however Monticello’s history is much more entwined with the history of this country.
The Levys of Monticello is now in theaters and available to stream on digital platforms.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.