Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to Host General James Mattis (Ret.) and David M. Rubenstein for Founders Day Weekend Conversation on Character, Service and the American Experiment

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello will welcome retired four-star general and 26th U.S. Secretary of Defense General Jim Mattis and philanthropist, author, and civic leader David M. Rubenstein for a special Founders Day Weekend conversation, Character, Service, and the American Experiment, on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. on Monticello’s West Lawn. 

Set against the backdrop of Jefferson’s mountaintop home, the program will bring together two leaders who have spent decades reflecting on the meaning of leadership, character, and service to the nation. Mattis and Rubenstein will engage in a candid and wide-ranging discussion about the responsibilities of leadership, the role of the military in a democratic society, and the values that uphold American institutions. Their dialogue will be shaped by enduring questions Thomas Jefferson grappled with throughout his life: the nature of character, the obligations of public service, the exercise of power, and the essential relationship between a military and the democracy it serves. 
 
“Founders Day Weekend invites us to reflect not only on Jefferson’s legacy, but on the ongoing work of renewing the American experiment,” said Dr. Jane Kamensky, president and CEO of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. “General Mattis and David Rubenstein bring deep experience and perspective to questions that remain central to our civic life. There could be no better moment for this powerful conversation than the generational milestone that is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.”  
 
Echoing Jefferson’s belief in the necessity of an informed and principled citizenry — and in the continual effort required to preserve a republic — this conversation will explore how these ideals continue to challenge and guide the nation today. 
 
The event is part of Monticello’s annual Founders Day celebration, which commemorates Jefferson’s birthday with programming and conversations that examine the founding principles of the United States and their relevance in the 21st century.  

Founders Day weekend will include the awarding of the 2026 Thomas Jefferson Foundation medals, presented jointly by Monticello and the University of Virginia. Monticello will commemorate Jefferson’s 283rd birthday on Sunday, April 12, with an annual Wreath Laying Ceremony at Jefferson’s Grave at 1:00 p.m. The United States Army will place the presidential wreath, accompanied by performances from the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps. This event is included with all same day admission. Monticello Members receive complimentary access. A community partner tent will be open on the West Lawn from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. on April 12 to showcase important work being done in our community. Learn more at Monticello.org/FoundersDay. 

This conversation is part of Monticello’s year-long slate of programs celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and exploring Thomas Jefferson’s life, writings, and the Declaration’s impact on global history. Learn more at Monticello.org/250.  

About The Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello 

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation was incorporated in 1923 to preserve Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Virginia. As a civic institution, Monticello seeks to increase knowledge and share the ideals Jefferson articulated in the Declaration of Independence through programming and scholarship built upon a foundation of rigorous research.

Monticello is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a United Nations World Heritage Site, and a Site of Conscience. As a private, nonprofit organization, Monticello receives no ongoing local, state, or federal funding. Visitors and the generosity of donors make Monticello’s twofold mission of preservation and education possible. For information, visit monticello.org.