JACKSON HOUSE MUSEUM

STUDY

Major Thomas Jackson conducted his business affairs in his study as a professor at VMI, an investor in local businesses, a deacon of the Lexington Presbyterian Church, and as an active community member.

Video Transcript

Thomas Jackson lived in an era of self-improvement. Education was very important to him. Even after graduating West Point, he continued his education. He had a wonderful library with books ranging in topics from history, science, poetry, and religion. He could even read and write in Spanish, as well as French, and continued to study languages throughout his life. Jackson was brought to Lexington in 1851 to teach Natural and Experimental Philosophy, what we know better today as physics, at the Virginia Military Institute. And, I have to tell you, he was not the best professor at VMI. He was very strict with his students and expected the best. After he would teach his lessons in the morning, he would come back to his home, and in his study, he would prepare his lessons for the next day here at his desk. He wrote to his wife while she was out of town that he had raised his desk so much so he could stand very straight at the desk while he worked. Now Jackson wasn’t just a professor here in Lexington. He was also very active in his community. He was involved with the Franklin Literary and Debating Society. He was also a member of the Lexington Presbyterian Church, where he was a deacon, and he taught Sunday School. He served on boards here in the community and was an investor in several businesses in town, including the local tannery. Due to Jackson’s involvement with so many organizations in town, he would often have business meetings here in his study. If you notice and take a look in front of the fireplace, we do have a cuspidor. Now Jackson didn’t smoke or chew tobacco, but he did have a cuspidor in his study for his gentleman friends who did chew tobacco. It’s a wonderful example of how Jackson worked to make sure his guests had all the comforts.

Jackson Family Items

Desk

This tall mahogany secretary or desk was in this house until Jackson’s death. Mary Anna took the desk with her to her father’s home in North Carolina, where it was sold and eventually given to the Lexington Presbyterian Church, which later presented it to the Jackson House.

Diploma Frame

This gold and black painted wooden frame is the original frame that held Jackson’s West Point diploma. The original diploma is currently in our collections storage. Both the diploma and frame were donated by Julia Preston, Thomas’s granddaughter.

Portable File

While a professor at VMI, Thomas Jackson used this portable cloth file to organize papers from cadets. Each pocket of the file is marked by 1-2 letters from the alphabet.

Classroom Key

This key was to Maj. Jackson’s section room at VMI. His section room was located on the second stoop of Old Barracks and is currently a cadet room.

Letter Seal

This letter seal, remounted on a modern wooden handle, bears Jackson’s initials TJJ. Instead of enclosing letters in envelopes, letters were simply folded and sealed with melted wax.

Inkwell

While abroad in 1856, Thomas purchased this grey Staffordshire ceramic inkwell, with boldly painted flowers and birds. He later gave it to his nephew, Thomas Arnold, as a gift.

Hall Stand

This Gothic Revival hall stand – with its trademark pointed arch – belonged to one of Mary Anna Jackson’s cousins, who lived in northern Rockbridge County. It’s possible that the Jacksons used this hall stand on a visit to the cousin’s home. Those who used this simple yet versatile piece of furniture no doubt appreciated features like its mirror, several hooks, and tray for parasol/cane storage.

CONTINUE TOUR