Make memories at Monticello this holiday season!

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.—‘Tis the season for holiday cheer! Be a guest at Thomas Jefferson’s house this December, experience the holidays during Jefferson’s time and make your own memories at Monticello.

Join us for a 5k run around Jefferson’s historic home, or meet artisans and sample holiday fare during our first ever Handmade for the Holidays—Taste the Best of Virginia, Saturday, December 3. Bring your friends, family and colleagues to Monticello for an intimate evening tour and reception or take part in one of our Holiday Evening Tours to experience the holidays during Jefferson’s time.

Images for media use only:  

Holiday Evening Tours

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Holiday Events at Monticello

Monticello Holiday Classic 5k and Deck the Halls Kid Dash|
December 3, 2011, 7-9 am

Families, runners and walkers are invited to attend the 2nd annual Monticello Holiday Classic 5K and Deck the Halls Kids Dash, December 3, 2011.  This year’s race starts just outside the entryway to Monticello, on the East Walk, and includes a jaunt around Jefferson’s house. The Kids Dash begins at 7:45 a.m. and the 5k starts at 8:00 a.m.

Handmade for the Holidays—Taste the Best of Virginia
December 3, 2011 2-6 pm

In 1785, Jefferson wrote to John Adams from Paris that, “getting it [chocolate] good in quality, and cheap in price, the superiority of the article both for health and nourishment will soon give it the same preference over tea and coffee in America.” Warm up with a cup of hot historical chocolate and learn more about Jefferson’s interest in chocolate from Monticello’s Culinary Historian Leni Sorensen, during our first ever Handmade for the Holidays—Taste the Best of Virginia.

Meet artisans, sample holiday treats, and shop for gifts made in Virginia. Craft demonstrations include guitar-making and bowl-making with wood from a Monticello tulip poplar tree, winter gardening with Monticello gardeners, forge fabricated artwork and fruitwood spoon-making. Free tastings include American Heritage Chocolate, Monticello Reserve Ale, Gabriele Rausse wine, Oakencroft juice, and Monticello peanuts and cheese straws.  Free gift wrapping is included with purchase. Admission to the Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center is free on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

Holiday Evening Tours
December 10, 17, 21 – 23, 26-30,  5:30 pm and 5:45 pm

Enjoy Monticello for the holidays with the special Holiday Evening Tours; December 10, 17, 21-23, 26-30. 

Monticello’s small-group house tours, which include the Dome Room, offer visitors an intimate look at how the holidays were celebrated in Jefferson's time. Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to experience Monticello after dark. Tours begin at 5:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on each date. Tickets are $45 and reserved tickets are required.  For ticketing and information please visit Holiday Evening Tours on our website.

Holiday Tours & Reception
Sun, December 18, 2011, 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Tue, December 20, 2011, 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Begin your evening with an intimate tour revealing how the holidays were celebrated at Monticello. Visit the rarely seen third-floor dome room. At the conclusion of your tour, sample culinary delights from Jefferson's time paired with Virginia wine. You will go home with a copy of one of eight recipes found in Jefferson's own hand to inspire your holiday table.  Arrive early to the Museum Shop.  They will gift wrap your items and have them waiting for you at the conclusion of your tour. Price inclusive of private house tour, reception (food and wine), use of space for the reception, staff fees, and 10% off coupon to the museum shop.

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About Monticello
Thomas Jefferson Foundation was incorporated in 1923 to preserve Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, Virginia. Monticello is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark and a United Nations World Heritage Site. As a private, nonprofit organization, the Foundation receives no regular federal or state budget support for its twofold mission of preservation and education.  About 450,000 people visit Monticello each year. For information, visit www.monticello.org.