Thomas Jefferson’s grave marker lists only three of his life’s achievements: author of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia statue of religious freedom and founder of the University of Virginia. Being the third president of the United States didn’t make the cut.

I visited Jefferson’s home, Monticello, for the first time during a recent vacation to Virginia. As my husband and I waited outside the graceful mansion for our tour, I kept checking my phone for updates on the news from Alexandria, about 110 miles away.