Historic Landscape Institute

Preserving Jefferson's Gardens and Landscapes
June 10 - 22, 2012

For two weeks this summer, the gardens and grounds of Monticello and the University of Virginia will serve as the setting for a unique educational experience in the theory and practice of historic landscape preservation. The Historic Landscape Institute will offer students an introduction to the fields of landscape history, garden restoration, and historical horticulture by using the landscapes designed by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello and the University of Virginia as case studies and outdoor classrooms. Participants will engage in instruction forty hours per week, with the bulk of that time spent on site. Occasional strenuous activity will be required in the gardens. Weekends are free for individual travel or participation in optional activities in and around the Charlottesville area.

Student evaluations of past Landscape Institutes were universally enthusiastic. One participant said, "This is the best conference I have ever attended: a thorough look at all of the issues with insights from real experts!" Another wrote, "The Institute was the academic highlight of my association with the University of Virginia." Still another student remarked, "It was a lifetime experience to work and learn on the mountain."

Setting . . . Faculty . . . Cost . . . Accommodations. . . Selection Process . . . Sample Scheduled Events . . . Additional Information and How to Apply . . .  Application Form 

Setting

Monticello is the only American home, and the University of Virginia the only educational institution, on the elite World Heritage List of the United Nations. Owned and operated by the nonprofit Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello's twin mission of preservation and education has been expressed in the garden world of Thomas Jefferson. Today the University of Virginia landscape represents many layers of history, retaining much of the integrity of the Founder's design while adapting to the changing demands of each new generation of scholars.  

Faculty

The program for the Institute involves a combination of lectures, walking tours, workshops, field trips, and "hands on" experience in the gardens. Instruction will be provided by the staff of Monticello and its Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants, including Co-Directors Peter Hatch and Peggy Cornett, as well as William Beiswanger. Mary Hughes from the University of Virginia’s Office of the Architect will also lecture and serve as Co-Director. Former faculty from the University's Landscape Architecture Department will include Reuben Rainey and Warren Byrd. Other eminent scholars will also lecture: Will Rieley, Landscape Architect for the Garden Club of Virginia; Wesley Greene, Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Gardener; Charles Pepper, Deputy Director of the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation; and Jack Gary, Director of Archaeology and Landscapes, Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest.

Cost

Tuition for the two-week institute is $800, which includes seven lunches, three dinners, but not lodging or other meals. The estimated cost of lodging is $55 per day.

Accommodations

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to stay on grounds at the University of Virginia. Due to construction, Lawn rooms will not be available in the summer of 2012. Housing will be provided in Brown College Residence Halls, offering single rooms with air-conditioning and private baths in close proximity to the Lawn and Central Grounds classrooms.  Students are responsible for their own breakfasts and dinners. University food services and local restaurants are available within walking distance. Transportation will be provided to Monticello each day.  

Selection Process

The number of participants for the 2012 Institute is limited. Applicants will be selected upon submission of the application form and résumé. This two-week program is designed to fit a variety of interests and educational backgrounds ranging from amateur to professional in the fields of horticulture, history, and landscape architecture. Completed applications must be received by April 30, 2012. Limited tuition scholarships are available.

A Sampling of scheduled Events

Lectures:

• Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden (based on Peter Hatch’s new book)
• Eighteenth Century Virginia Plantation Gardens
• The Preservation of Cultural Landscapes
• Understanding Landscapes through Historic Maps and Surveys
• Historic Roses
• Introduction to Landscape Archaeology

Tours:

• Pavilion Gardens at the University of Virginia
• Monticello: House, Gardens, and Plantation
• Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest
• Old City Cemetery and the Anne Spencer House & Garden in Lynchburg
• Colonial Williamsburg

Additional Information and How to Apply

Please include a one page resumé and statement of personal reasons for wanting to participate. Return your completed application form and a $25 non-refundable application fee by April 30, 2012 to:

The Historic Landscape Institute
Monticello, P.O. Box 316
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 984-9816
E-mail