July 13, 2007

Friday afternoon, about 250 relatives of Thomas Jefferson and those connected to Monticello, will be coming to Charlottesville for a family reunion.

Dubbed the Monticello Community Gathering, it is the first grand-scale event of its kind, and will feature activities where descendants can learn about how life was like for their relatives. Many of the descendants will be meeting relatives for the first time.

The aim of the gathering is to celebrate the diversity of the Monticello heritage and the democratic ideals of Jefferson.

The event is the brainchild of Prinny Anderson, the great great great great granddaughter of Jefferson, who says her lineage inadvertently affects how she lives her life today.

"It has very much influenced my desire to acknowledge the contributions of all the people that make Jefferson's work possible," shared Anderson. "The workman, the slaves, the family members. And it's moved me to be more active in things like civil rights and justice."

The gathering kicks off Friday night with a reception at the University of Virginia and last through Sunday afternoon.