Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville (1987)
United States of America

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Jefferson's most noteworthy achievement at the convention was his bill to establish religious freedom and to ensure the separation of church and state. The bill guaranteed, in Jefferson's own words, “that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place or ministry whatsoever.”  

Jefferson and his friend Adams, both of whom had played such great parts in the winning of independence, died on Independence Day, July 4, 1826. Jefferson left detailed instructions for his burial in the graveyard of his estate. A simple monument was to mark his resting place. He specified that the monument was to be made of coarse stone so that “no one might be tempted hereafter to destroy it for the value of the materials.” He wrote his own epitaph: 

Here was buried 
Thomas Jefferson 
Author of the Declaration of American Independence 
Of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom 
And Father of the University of Virginia

These achievements were to be inscribed on the monument, and “not a word more ... because by these, as testimonials that I have lived, I wish most to be remembered.”  Jefferson's wishes were carried out, but vandals later overturned and broke the stone. A careful reproduction now marks Jefferson's grave. 

Thomas Jefferson Memorial, national memorial authorized in 1934. Located in Washington, D.C., in East Potomac Park, the memorial honors United States president Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809). The building is a graceful rotunda, or circular structure, encircled by a colonnade of 26 Ionic columns and capped with a domed ceiling. A broad flight of steps leads up to a portico, or entrance, to the memorial. The white marble building was designed by American architect John Russell Pope in the Roman style, in keeping with Jefferson’s love of classical architecture. Construction began in 1939 and the memorial was dedicated in 1943. Japanese cherry trees surrounding the building decorate the memorial site with pink blossoms for two weeks every spring. The interior of the memorial features a bronze statue of a standing Jefferson facing the White House. 

Above the interior entrance to the memorial is a sculptured bas-relief by A. A. Weinman of the members of the Continental Congress committee who wrote the Declaration of Independence with Jefferson. 

Sources and links: 

• Microsoft Encarta 2002. 

• The Architecture of Thomas Jefferson (US National Park Service)
• World Heritage in the United States

Other World Heritage Sites in USA (on this site). Inactive links are not described on stamps. Please refer to the UNESCO-listing, section United States for further information about such sites.