CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. – The 200th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s return to Monticello following his second term as president in 1809 will be commemorated at 1 p.m., Sunday, March 15, on Monticello’s West Lawn.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a portrayal of Jefferson by noted character interpreter Bill Barker and music by the Williamsburg Field Musick fife and drum corps.

Barker has portrayed Jefferson at a variety of venues over the past 20 years, including Colonial Williamsburg, where he has appeared since 1993; the White House; and the Palace at Versailles. He also has been featured as Jefferson in numerous magazines, television programs, and films – including Thomas Jefferson’s World, Monticello’s new introductory film that will be shown at the Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith Education Center beginning April 15, the date of the center’s grand opening.

Williamsburg Field Musick plays military music and other tunes from the 1700s and 1800s on authentic instruments. The group, whose members wear period regimental uniforms, last appeared at Monticello in November 2008, at the operational opening of the new visitor center.

In 1809, Jefferson left Washington for the last time on March 11, a week after his presidency ended with the inauguration of his successor, James Madison. Traveling first by carriage and then on horseback, he arrived at Monticello on March 15. Some residents of Albemarle County had planned to meet the returning native son at the county line, but this proved too difficult to coordinate so they instead drafted a welcoming address, which was presented to Jefferson. He wrote a reply, which was printed in a Richmond newspaper on April 14.

Following his retirement from public life, Jefferson spent the vast majority of his time at Monticello. But he was far from idle during those years: Between 1809 and his death at age 83 in 1826 his activities included making major revisions to Monticello, selling his personal library to the federal government and then assembling a new one, carrying on the now-famous correspondence with John Adams, and founding the University of Virginia.

Visitors coming to Monticello expressly for the commemorative event on March 15 should identify themselves at the ticket counter in the Dominion Welcome Pavilion, where they will be given directions. Paid admission tickets will be required for guided tours of the house and grounds.