Celebrate America's 250th at Monticello

Where Thomas Jefferson's idea of independence began
1776 - 2026 Monticello

Join us for special tours, engaging programs, and family activities starting in 2025 that honor the Spirit of Independence and explore Jefferson's journey from British subject to American citizen.

See what we've got planned ➔

Explore Jefferson's pivotal role in America's quest for independence ➔

What's a Semiquincentennial?

A 250th Anniversary (/seh-mai-KWIN-sen-ten-ee-ul/)
Whether you call it a Bisesquicentennial, the Sestercentennial, Semiquincentennial, or the Quarter Millennial, 2026 marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate the birth of American independence and democracy. And we're getting ready.

Collage of July 4 celebrations at Monticello and headshot of 2025 ceremony's speaker Ken Burns
Monticello Celebrates Independence with Ken Burns Get inspired by July 4 at Monticello with our annual celebration and naturalization ceremony. Join us in 2025 on July 3rd and 4th for two special events featuring award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns.
Two men in 18th-century attire gesturing over a newspaper
A New Look at an Old Rivalry Our new Founding Friends, Founding Foes Tour explores the friendship and conflict between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams that shaped our nation’s founding.
Early typeset version of the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration Book Club Join us for an in-depth look at the history and legacy of one of the most important documents ever written.
Civic Season From Juneteenth through July 4, Monticello hosts a series of talks, dinners, and conversations about the nation’s history, the founding ideals of the country, and the challenges that persist today.
Covers and author names of four different books
Pursuits of Knowledge Series Join us for a series of dynamic conversations with leading thinkers exploring Jefferson's world, ideas, and legacy.
Feast of Reason Inspired by Thomas Jefferson's legendary dinner parties, Feast of Reason brings people together for food and conversations.
Culinary Diplomacy A food-focused series featuring celebrity chefs, culinary experts, and historians that celebrates the many ways food has been—and continues to be—a bridge for better cultural understanding and communication.
Archaeologists talk with visitors during an open house
Calendar of Events Check out our calendar for public events, family programs, research updates, and more    

More plans for the 250th

New Exhibition Galleries - Opening in 2026, Monticello’s gallery spaces will include a new Discovery Room for families with young children, and an exhibition that focuses on the events of the year 1776 at Monticello, in Virginia, and in Philadelphia. 

Conversations on the Declaration – Exploring the Legacy of the Nation’s Founding Document. A partnership between a number of sites in Virginia, including Poplar Forest, Monticello, the University of Virginia, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, William & Mary, and Colonial Williamsburg.

Declaration Next - As part of the Karsh Institute of Demcracy's 2025 Democracy360 Ideas Festival, Monticello and the University of Virginia will co-host a program that asks young Americans to reflect on the ways that the ideals of the Declaration of Independence continue to shape the nation’s future, and what those ideals mean for next generation. The program will include a panel discussion followed by a participatory Feast of Reason for all guests to share their own ideas in conversation.   
 

America’s Field Trip - Through America250, Monticello is among the options for winners of the America’s Field Trip contest (trip includes a visit to Monticello as well as a visit to the Library of Congress in Washington, DC). 

Limited special edition of the Declaration - In partnerships with Arion Press, Monticello will hand craft a limited special edition of the Declaration that recreates the original Dunlap broadside with contributions commissioned from America’s leading artists visually interpreting the ‘pursuit of happiness’ and a companion set of essays commissioned from top writers and historians on the Declaration’s enduring legacy.   Plans include setting up a printing press at Monticello's visitor center as a demo/actual printing of the special edition.

How old is the United States? Find out here »

Thomas Jefferson's Journey to Revolution and American Independence

Monticello is where Jefferson refined the ideas of freedom established in the Declaration. Monticello is both a tribute to and the embodiment of the American experiment. 

The Quest for Equality

Each generation of Americans since 1776 has interpreted “all Men are created equal” in an increasingly inclusive way and fought to make Jefferson’s words a reality for all.

Timeline The endeavor to extend the promise of equality in the Declaration of Independence spans our nation's history.
Video Library Monticello historians, descendants of the enslaved community, and recipients of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal for in Citizen Leadership reflect on the quest to fulfill the promise of Jefferson's words.
Memory, Mourning and Mobilization In this video, prominent historians and civil rights leaders - Peter Onuf, Annette Gordon-Reed, Deborah E. McDowell, Edward L. Ayers, and Marian Wright Edelman - discuss the legacies of slavery and freedom in America.

We're proud to partner with:

Logo for the VA250 Commission

ADDRESS:
1050 Monticello Loop
Charlottesville, VA 22902
GENERAL INFORMATION:
(434) 984-9800