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Feast of Reason: Charlottesville Restaurant Day
Join us for a first of its kind, city-wide dinner event.
Civic Season
Join us during Civic Season, June 19 - July 4, for a special series of events and programs.
The nationwide initiative started by Made By Us to connect history, civic engagement, and community participation takes place annually between Juneteenth and Independence Day.
In 2026, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Monticello is proud to present its most ambitious slate of Civic Season programming to date.
Featured Events
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![A person holding an array of feast of reason cards.]()
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![An aerial view of Montalto Mountain in the summertime.]()
event1.776 Montalto Challenge
Join us for the Montalto Challenge, a 1.776 mile race up Jefferson's high mountain with spectacular views of Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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![Headshot of Cristeta Comerford]()
eventCulinary Diplomacy Project with Former White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford
Drawing on her tenure as chef for five U.S. presidents and the diplomatic spirit that defined both her work and Jefferson’s, Chef Comerford will present a culinary reimagining of a Jefferson-era state dinner.
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![Dom flemons and the traveling wildfires band on stage performing]()
eventDom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires
Join Monticello and the Paramount Theater as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Charlottesville Downtown Mall and the 250th birthday of America.
July 4 - Independence Day at Monticello
Join us for the July 4th Naturalization ceremony at Monticello | 9-10:30am
Family fun and activities all afternoon
Civic Season On and Off The Mountain
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James Traub on “The Cradle of Citizenship”
![Image of James Traub sitting on a couch]()
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US Mint at Monticello: Celebrating the Declaration Coin
![Commemorative quarter with Thomas Jefferson silhouette]()
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Artist Talk with Jabari Jefferson on "Who Is Edith Hern Fossett?"
![Edith Hern Fossett artwork by Jabari Jefferson]()
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Trivia Night at Jefferson Vineyards
![People gathered at Jefferson Vineyards picnic area]()
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Monticello at the Market Central Farmers Market
![Image closeup of a table with dried flowers in baskets.]()
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Monticello at the Charlottesville City Market
![An image of jars on a lazy susan]()
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Monticello at the James River Batteau Festival's Scottsville Celebration
![A couple on a row boat]()
Only this Summer
Jefferson Remembers the Declaration
Mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with a special guided theatrical experience inside the Monticello house featuring Thomas Jefferson, as interpreted by veteran historical interpreter, Bill Barker.
Our Partners
Ongoing Tours and Programs
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![A group toasts and clinks glasses of wine together at an outdoor table at Jefferson Vineyards. Sandwiches, salads, and other foods are on the table.]()
PageMusic at Jefferson Vineyards
A list of upcoming acts at Jefferson Vineyards featuring local musicians most Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Occurs seasonally.
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![A boy is using the print shop to make his own printing of the declaration of independence.]()
eventDeclaration of Independence Print Shop
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by printing your own Declaration at Monticello.
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eventCommunity Partners
Throughout Civic Season, stop by the courtyard at Monticello's visitor center to learn more about organizations making a difference in our community.
What is Civic Season?
From our newest federal holiday, Juneteenth, to our oldest, the 4th of July, Civic Season is a time to explore your story and how it connects to U.S. history through events, activities, and resources from credible sources.
Civic Season is the flagship program from Made By Us, a network of hundreds of museums, historic sites, libraries, and archives unleashing access to history for younger generations who have the most at stake.
Additional Resources
Upcoming Events
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![An image of jars on a lazy susan]()
Monticello at the Charlottesville City Market
Come see Monticello at the Charlottesville City Farmer's Market -
![Commemorative quarter with Thomas Jefferson silhouette]()
US Mint at Monticello: Celebrating the Declaration Coin
Join Monticello and the United States Mint for a celebration of the new Declaration of Independence Semiquincentennial Coin, commemorating 250 years since the signing of Jefferson’s Declaration in 1776. -
![A couple on a row boat]()
Monticello at the James River Batteau Festival's Scottsville Celebration
Join Monticello at the James River Batteau Festival's Scottsville Celebration -
![Edith Hern Fossett artwork by Jabari Jefferson]()
Artist Talk with Jabari Jefferson on "Who Is Edith Hern Fossett?"
Join us for an engaging conversation with artist Jabari Jefferson as he discusses his latest work, “Who Is Edith Hern Fossett?” -
![People gathered at Jefferson Vineyards picnic area]()
Trivia Night at Jefferson Vineyards
Gather your team and bring your curiosity to Jefferson Vineyards for a lively evening of history, wine, and friendly competition. -
![Image closeup of a table with dried flowers in baskets.]()
Monticello at the Market Central Farmers Market
Come see Monticello at the Market Central Farmers Market. -
![A person holding an array of feast of reason cards.]()
Feast of Reason: Charlottesville Restaurant Day
Join us for a first of its kind, city-wide dinner event.Pricing varies at participating restaurants -
![An aerial view of Montalto Mountain in the summertime.]()
1.776 Montalto Challenge
Join us for the Montalto Challenge, a 1.776 mile race up Jefferson's high mountain with spectacular views of Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. -
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Drafting the Declaration with Thomas Jefferson
Join Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by historical interpreter Bill Barker, as he takes you back to the turbulent times of America’s founding. -
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Drafting the Declaration with Thomas Jefferson
Join Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by historical interpreter Bill Barker, as he takes you back to the turbulent times of America’s founding.
