The Natural Bridge, Virginia, 1852
Frederick Edwin Church (1826–1901)
Collection, University of Virginia Art Museum

Surveyed by a young George Washington
and once owned by Thomas Jefferson

In 1809, a financially disastrous year, Jefferson tried to sell the tract, and he periodically leased it for saltpeter mining and use as a shot tower. By 1815, however, he had "no idea of selling the land. I view it in some degree as a public trust, and would on no consideration permit the bridge to be injured, defaced or masked from public view" (T J to William Caruthers, 7 September 1809; 15 March 1815). The Natural Bridge was sold in 1833 as part of Jefferson's estate.

Lucia C. Stanton, Monticello Research Department, April 1995

Ed. Note: There is evidence that Jefferson himself used the bridge for shot production.
He is known to have made at least 4 visits to the site.