Historic Garden Week

Make Monticello a part your visit when more than 250 of Virginia’s most beautiful gardens, homes, and historic landmarks celebrate Historic Garden Week in Virginia, described as “America’s Largest Open House.”

Monticello’s annual observance of Historic Garden Week in Virginia will include:

• Saturday, April 21 and Monday, April, 23: Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden Tour at Monticello - Our new, two-hour, experiential tour of Thomas Jefferson’s vegetable and fruit gardens—his Revolutionary Garden—will include an in-depth guided walk followed by a Meet the Gardener segment with Monticello’s professional staff. Visitors will participate in seasonal gardening activities, such as planting, harvesting, and sampling spring crops ranging from asparagus to baby root vegetables. At the conclusion of the program, author Peter Hatch will be available at the Visitor Center Museum Shop for a special preview signing of his new book,  “A Rich Spot of Earth:” Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden at Monticello. The guide will greet participants at the Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center Garden Shop. 9 a.m. $42.
• Monday, April 23, National Book Launch: An Evening with Peter Hatch - Celebrate the launch of Peter Hatch’s “A Rich Spot of Earth”: Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden at Monticello."  Join us for an elegant garden party with the author as he discusses his pioneering new book. This gorgeous volume tells the history of Jefferson's unique vegetable garden at Monticello and uncovers his lasting influence on American culinary, garden, and landscape history. The book also showcases the 1980s project that restored the garden to its original glory. Enjoy informal tours of Monticello and the gardens, fine Virginia wine and heavy hors d'oeuvres on the West Lawn of Monticello. Mr. Hatch, Director of gardens and grounds at Monticello, has been responsible for the maintenance, interpretation, and restoration of the 2,400-acre landscape at Monticello since 1977. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Reserved tickets are required. $60. ($30 of your ticket represents a tax deductible gift to support the garden programs at Monticello.)
• Tuesday, April 24: “Thomas Jefferson, Gardener” - This lecture by Peter Hatch, Monticello's director of gardens and grounds, is followed by a walking tour of the restored gardens of Monticello. Learn about the themes that defined Jefferson's interest in horticulture and about the gardens he created on the mountaintop. Convene at Monticello's Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith Education Center. Free; advanced registration required. 10 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 24: Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants - This illustrated lecture by Peggy Cornett, Monticello's curator of plants, is followed by a tour of the gardens and nursery at Tufton Farm. Discover the plants that define our horticultural heritage. Convene at Monticello's Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith Education Center. Free; no registration. 2 p.m.