This three-hour hike through the woodlands of Monticello to the Rivanna River is a perennial favorite of hikers and native plant enthusiasts alike. Enjoy the botanical treasures of early spring: trout lilies, Virginia blue bells, spring...

This three-hour hike through the woodlands of Monticello to the Rivanna River is a perennial favorite of hikers and native plant enthusiasts alike. Enjoy the botanical treasures of early spring: trout lilies, Virginia blue bells, spring...

Make Monticello a part of your visit during Historic Garden Week in Virginia when more than 250 of Virginia’s most beautiful gardens, homes...

Learn the basics of bird identification and explore a variety of habitats in this rigorous, three-hour walk during the spring migratory season. Peggy Cornett and Jerry Therrien will lead this trek from Tufton Farm to the Rivanna River. We...

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, come join the staff of the Saunders-Monticello Trail to beautify the park you have come to love. We will clear rustic trails, clean up landscape beds in the Arboretum, and complete a variety of other projects...

Thomas Jefferson wrote, in 1818, that “in nothing have the habits of the palate more decisive influence than in our relish of wines.” Come celebrate Jefferson’s passion for wine during the Wine Festival at Monticello!

Join us on Saturday,...

This Wednesday evening trek, led by Saunders-Monticello Trail Manager Jason Stevens, begins at the Visitor Center and ends atop Montalto, Thomas Jefferson’s first land acquisition, which stands 410 feet above Monticello Mountain. Once there, you...

Learn to create beautiful floral arrangements with horticulturist and floral designer Kathryn Nokes. Using the display gardens of the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants as her palette, Kathryn will demonstrate techniques to create...

Thomas Jefferson’s successes (and failures) as a passionate gardener will be highlighted in talks and tours during the Center’s June Open House, new for 2013. Learn about the themes that defined Jefferson’s interest in horticulture in a talk by...

Join Fine Arts Photographer John Hulburt in the gardens at the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants for an introduction to digital photography in the garden. Bring your own digital camera (or even your smart phone!) and learn the basics of...

Until the late 19th century, dyes that colored cloth came primarily from plants. Join Pat Brodowski for this two-hour workshop to learn how to create natural dyes. Bring a t-shirt or wool skein to dye in indigo, goldenrod, and onion or all three...

This two hour, family-friendly adventure, led by Devin Floyd, will be a hunt to see how many different bug species can be found in the Monticello gardens. Explorers will discover the diversity of insects and spiders; and study, identify, and...

The landscaping of the Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center, recipient of a LEED Gold Level certification, is designed to blend the buildings into the native Monticello woodlands with plantings of Virginia’s native plant species, including 40 species...

Enjoy the harvests of summer, what Thomas Jefferson referred to as “precious refreshment.” On-site in the Monticello Fruit Garden, Gabriele Rausse and fruit gardener Kerry Gilmer will entertain participants with the fruits of summer: early apples...

Join Eleanor Gould for a tour of Thomas Jefferson’s restored vegetable garden, followed by a hands-on cooking class featuring period recipes from the Monticello kitchen. Dishes will be prepared using seasonal produce harvested from the garden....

Butterfly diversity is an excellent barometer for ecosystem health. Join Devin Floyd for a butterfly walk that will explore the wonderful diversity of species found on Monticello’s biologically varied landscape. We’ll catch and observe...

Savor the tastes of Virginia while enjoying a rare opportunity to experience the Monticello garden after hours. Stroll Jefferson’s vegetable garden with a glass of Virginia wine or an artisan brew. Sample a variety of local foods including the...

See the telecast of the Grand Preview lecture, featuring speakers Cary Fowler and Steve Bender. Enjoy a selection of wine and cider from our local...

This early morning trek, led by Monticello Trail Manager Jason Stevens, begins at the Visitor Center and ends atop Montalto, Thomas Jefferson’s first land acquisition, which stands 410 feet above Monticello Mountain. Once there, you will enjoy...

Join seasoned birder Jerry Therrien for a three-hour hike on the Saunders Monticello Trail and Secluded Farm to observe the annual bird migration. Learn the basics of bird identification and explore a rich variety of habitats. We recommend...

Thomas Jefferson’s passion for gardening arose from his truly wide-eyed curiosity about natural history and the “tranquil pursuits” of science. Monticello Curator of Plants, Peggy Cornett, will lead this two-hour trek through the forests of...

Join plantsman, gardener, and writer Cole Burrell for his discussion of the joys of winter interest in the garden during the Center’s last Open House of 2013. Cole will present “Design Ideas and Plant Combinations for Winter Gardens,” and will...

This two-hour ramble through Monticello's forest during the waning days of the fall foliage display will concentrate on identifying trees by their bark fruit, seeds, buds, and habit. Jerry Therrien and Peggy Cornett will lead this adventure...

Vinegar was an integral ingredient in various Jefferson-family recipes, and there’s more to vinegar, translated literally as “sour wine,” than salad dressing. Most people are unaware of the rich traditions of using vinegar in cooking, as a food...