BBC: The rolling hills around Charlottesville are the sophisticated cradle of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
This is where Thomas Jefferson, that most famous of American Renaissance men, kept his ebony toothbrush, surrounded by his inventions, his fine French wines and, of course, his slaves.
The town of Charlottesville itself is a gracious home to one of America's oldest and most venerable colleges, the University of Virginia.
The town centre is more lively and funky than perhaps any other in the state.
The Playhouse is staging Harold Pinter, the Slava dance club is hosting a transvestite salsa night and, at the cinema in the pedestrian district, there is a Stanley Kubrick marathon this weekend.
But even towns like Charlottesville need a jail.
Perhaps in keeping with the sense of decorum, the Albemarle County jail is unusually pleasant. Washington diary: Prohibition lite (more) By Matt Frei
Mark Alexander
