Celebrating the Fourth

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Monticello is Thomas Jefferson's architectural masterpiece, which he designed and redesigned for more than forty years. It remains a national icon and is the only presidential house in the United States named as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

House FAQ

Frequently asked questions and reports about the architecture, rooms, and furnishings of the main house and its dependencies.

Collections Database

A rich and varied collection of objects including art, furnishings, personal items, books, and manuscripts from Monticello's collections.

The first Monticello was a two-story, eight-room house that revealed his knowledge of classical architecture. In 1796, inspired by neoclassical buildings he had seen while serving as American minister to France, Jefferson began transforming Monticello into a three-story, 21-room brick structure. Inside and out, Jefferson’s free and enslaved workmen made his design a reality. Jefferson filled his house with furnishings and collections reflecting his education, broad interests, and status. He employed labor-saving technology for efficiency and maximized light and heat for optimal comfort.