History is for Everyone

VA, USA

Monticello — Thomas Jefferson Foundation

Historic House

Jefferson's mountaintop home, designed and redesigned by Jefferson himself over four decades beginning in the 1760s. Monticello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most visited historic house museum in the United States. During the Revolution, Monticello served as Jefferson's primary residence during his terms as Virginia governor (1779–81). On June 4, 1781, British cavalry under Tarleton arrived at the foot of the mountain to capture Jefferson; he fled with minutes to spare. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation's interpretation addresses Jefferson's complex role as both the author of liberty and an enslaver of over 600 people over his lifetime, including the Hemings family.

Visiting Today

Address

931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Hours

Daily 9am–5pm; extended summer hours

Admission

$32 adults, $18 youth (6–11)

Connected Events

Jan 1779
Convention Army Prisoners at Charlottesville

Thomas Jefferson, Isaac Jefferson, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson

May 1781
May 1781
Virginia Legislature Meets in Charlottesville (May 1781)

Thomas Jefferson, Banastre Tarleton, Isaac Jefferson, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson

Jun 1781
Jack Jouett's Midnight Ride

Thomas Jefferson, Banastre Tarleton, Jack Jouett, Isaac Jefferson, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson

Jun 1781
Tarleton's Raid on Charlottesville

Thomas Jefferson, Banastre Tarleton, Jack Jouett, Isaac Jefferson, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson

Jun 1781
Jefferson Flees Monticello

Thomas Jefferson, Banastre Tarleton, Jack Jouett, Isaac Jefferson, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson

Jun 1781
British Troops at Monticello

Thomas Jefferson, Banastre Tarleton, Isaac Jefferson, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson

Jun 1781
Virginia Legislature Flees to Staunton

Thomas Jefferson, Jack Jouett, Isaac Jefferson, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson

Jun 1781
Thomas Nelson Jr. Elected Governor

Thomas Jefferson, Isaac Jefferson, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson

Aug 1818
Jefferson Proposes the University of Virginia (1818–1819)

Thomas Jefferson, Isaac Jefferson, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson