26. Speculations
Uncovering Sally Hemings’s room reopened a conversation about the relationship between Jefferson and his alleged lover. Archaeologists can’t help but question the nature of their relationship, seeing how Sally Hemings was within arm’s reach—or, just one door down the hall.
“This room is a real connection to the past,” said Fraser Neiman, the director of archaeology at Monticello. “We are uncovering and discovering and we’re finding many, many artifacts.” His insight gives the public a glimpse into the interesting life of Sally Hemings, as well as the personal life of former president Thomas Jefferson. These details had long been swept under the rug.