Pursuits of Knowledge: Julia Gaffield on "I Have Avenged America"
$10
Where Thomas Jefferson's ideal of independence took root
As the Declaration of Independence turns 250 in 2026, Monticello is one of the country's most important places to mark the moment - home to its principal author and a site where the words, the world, and the ambitions of 1776 all come into view. See what we have planned.
New & Noteworthy
From tours to seasonal events and special exhibits, there's always something new happening at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Explore what's ahead and plan your visit!
Upcoming Events
Have you visited Monticello's Jefferson Vineyards?
Thomas Jefferson had a deep interest in wine and was known for his efforts to promote viticulture in Virginia and the United States. To that end, he convinced Italian vintner Philip Mazzei to settle in Albemarle County in late 1773 and induced him to do so by giving him a 193-acre tract of land. More than 200 years later, their vision became a reality at Jefferson Vineyards.
How do we know what we know? More than a century of rigorous research, documentation, archaeology, and training.
Explore nowThe Historic Monticello Mountaintop
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The House
Monticello is Thomas Jefferson's architectural masterpiece, which he designed and redesigned for more than forty years. It remains a national icon and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Select a house tour
Vegetable Garden
Enjoy Monticello’s gardens and grounds at your own pace. Guests can tour the mountaintop and restored South Wing, Mulberry Row, and exhibit spaces under the house.
Access with any ticket
Mulberry Row
Mulberry Row was the industrial hub of Jefferson's 5000-acre Monticello plantation and was the center of work and domestic life for dozens of free and enslaved workers.
Access with any ticket
Sally Hemings Exhibit
This exhibit explores the life of Sally Hemings, drawn from the recollections of her son, Madison Hemings.
Access with any ticket
Contemplative Site
The Contemplative Site at Monticello is a powerful, yet tranquil space to reflect upon lives and legacies of Monticello's enslaved African Americans.
Access with any ticket
Path to Jefferson's Grave
Catch a shuttle here or walk the grounds to visit Thomas Jefferson's grave, which is marked by an obelisk based on his own design.
Access with any ticket
Slavery at Monticello Tours
Starting at the recreated Hemmings Cabin, guided outdoor tours of Mulberry Row focus on the experiences of the enslaved people who lived and labored on the Monticello plantation.
Included with admission
Meet Thomas Jefferson
First-person interpreter Bill Barker, shares stories of Thomas Jefferson's life and answers visitor questions. Available most Tuesdays – Saturdays.
Included with admission
Garden Tours
Seasonal guided tours of the flower, vegetable, and fruit gardens explore Jefferson’s lifelong interest in horticulture and the labors of the enslaved people who turned his ideas into reality.
Included with admission
Farm Shop and Restrooms
Located under Monticello's North Terrace, the Farm Shop provides snacks, hot and cold drinks, seasonal treats, mementos, and an outdoor seating area for visitors.
Farm Shop
Mountaintop Activity Center
Open Seasonally: Enjoy hands-on activities for kids and their families at the Mountaintop Activity Center. Write with a quill pen, crack a code with a wheel cipher, and explore mystery objects.
Included with admission
Moutaintop Shuttle Stop
Located near Monticello’s East Walk, shuttle passengers arrive here for tours. Guests can take the shuttle — which also stops at Jefferson’s grave — back to the visitor center.
Monticello's West Lawn
The "back of the Nickel" view of Monticello includes a Winding Flower Walk and Oval Beds planted with heirloom varieties.
In BloomThe Historic Monticello Mountaintop
The House
Monticello is Thomas Jefferson's architectural masterpiece, which he designed and redesigned for more than forty years. It remains a national icon and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Select a house tour
Vegetable Garden
Enjoy Monticello’s gardens and grounds at your own pace. Guests can tour the mountaintop and restored South Wing, Mulberry Row, and exhibit spaces under the house.
Access with any ticket
Mulberry Row
Mulberry Row was the industrial hub of Jefferson's 5000-acre Monticello plantation and was the center of work and domestic life for dozens of free and enslaved workers.
Access with any ticket
Sally Hemings Exhibit
This exhibit explores the life of Sally Hemings, drawn from the recollections of her son, Madison Hemings.
Access with any ticket
Contemplative Site
The Contemplative Site at Monticello is a powerful, yet tranquil space to reflect upon lives and legacies of Monticello's enslaved African Americans.
Access with any ticket
Path to Jefferson's Grave
Catch a shuttle here or walk the grounds to visit Thomas Jefferson's grave, which is marked by an obelisk based on his own design.
Access with any ticket
Slavery at Monticello Tours
Starting at the recreated Hemmings Cabin, guided outdoor tours of Mulberry Row focus on the experiences of the enslaved people who lived and labored on the Monticello plantation.
Included with admission
Meet Thomas Jefferson
First-person interpreter Bill Barker, shares stories of Thomas Jefferson's life and answers visitor questions. Available most Tuesdays – Saturdays.
Included with admission
Garden Tours
Seasonal guided tours of the flower, vegetable, and fruit gardens explore Jefferson’s lifelong interest in horticulture and the labors of the enslaved people who turned his ideas into reality.
Included with admission
Farm Shop and Restrooms
Located under Monticello's North Terrace, the Farm Shop provides snacks, hot and cold drinks, seasonal treats, mementos, and an outdoor seating area for visitors.
Farm Shop
Mountaintop Activity Center
Open Seasonally: Enjoy hands-on activities for kids and their families at the Mountaintop Activity Center. Write with a quill pen, crack a code with a wheel cipher, and explore mystery objects.
Included with admission
Moutaintop Shuttle Stop
Located near Monticello’s East Walk, shuttle passengers arrive here for tours. Guests can take the shuttle — which also stops at Jefferson’s grave — back to the visitor center.
Monticello's West Lawn
The "back of the Nickel" view of Monticello includes a Winding Flower Walk and Oval Beds planted with heirloom varieties.
In BloomStories you'll hear at Monticello
Get to know Thomas Jefferson: author of the Declaration of Independence, third president of the United States, Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, Vice President, architect, scientist, wine enthusiast, and founder of the University of Virginia.
Jefferson described life with his wife Martha as ten years of "unchequered happiness."
Jefferson's oldest daughter, Martha often served as "first lady" in the White House and later raised her own 11 children at Monticello after her father retired from public life.
Sally Hemings is one of the most famous—and least known—African American women in U.S. history. For more than 200 years, her name has been linked to Thomas Jefferson as the mother of at least 6 of his children.
John Hemmings was an enslaved woodworker and joiner who built many of the iconic elements of Jefferson's home.
Monticello survives today because of the efforts of the Uriah Levy and his nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy.
Take a Tour
Step into Thomas Jefferson’s world with a tour of Monticello—the iconic mountaintop home and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, designed by Jefferson himself.
Walk the Grounds
Explore winding paths, historic gardens, and sweeping views that bring Monticello’s landscape to life.
Eat, Drink & Shop
From casual bites to local wines, Monticello offers a variety of ways to savor the taste of the region.
Eat, Drink & Shop
Reflect & Learn
Thomas Jefferson enslaved over six hundred people throughout his life. Learn about the men, women, and children who lived and labored on this plantation.
