Facts About the Coal Sheds
Large sheds here were packed with charcoal to meet the relentless demand for fuel in the Nailery, the Blacksmith's Shop, and the main house. (Pictured: Digital recreation of a Coal Shed created for Monticello by RenderSphere, LLC)
To make charcoal, enslaved men monitored slow-burning mounds of wood around the clock for days. It was filthy work.
Jefferson ordered his overseer to distribute charcoal each morning and then lock the sheds to conserve valuable fuel. (Pictured: Padlock uncovered on Mulberry Row)
People to Know: David Hern, Jr.
David Hern, Jr.’s family served Jefferson for three generations. They grew his food, cared for his children, and built his home. (Pictured: "Planting Corn" by William Berryman, 1808–1815, Library of Congress)
Jefferson sent Hern’s wife Frances to work in Washington, DC, for three years. The separation nearly destroyed their marriage. (Pictured: “Elevation of the South Front of the President's House” by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 1817, Library of Congress)
After Jefferson’s death, Hern and 34 members of his family were sold at auction. (Pictured: "Slave Market" by Henry Byam Martin, 1833, Library and Archives Canada)
A Job for the Trusted: The Art of Making Charcoal
(Running time: 1:10)