FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 24, 2025
Media Contact: J.A. Lyon, Director of Marketing & Communications, jlyon@monticello.org
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello announced today “Climb the Mountain,” a special community walk to celebrate the launch of the historic site’s new strategic plan.
Set for Saturday, November 1, participants are invited to walk, run, or stroll from the base of the Saunders-Monticello Trail up to the iconic West Lawn of Monticello. This scenic, two-and-a-half-mile walk is family friendly and open to all ages.
Participants should plan to arrive at Monticello’s David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center no later than at 8:30 a.m. Shuttle buses will transport participants to the Saunders-Monticello Trailhead. The walk will begin at 9:00 a.m. Shuttles from the visitor center to the West Lawn will be available for those wishing to attend the event but not participate in the walk.
Once on the West Lawn, guests will hear brief remarks about Monticello’s new strategic plan and ongoing initiatives to serve the community while enjoying free coffee and donuts courtesy of local vendors. Performances from historic interpreter Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson, and hands-on fun at the Mountaintop Activity Center will round out the event.
To ensure safety, the Saunders-Monticello Trail will be open only to pedestrians participating in the event on the morning of the walk. The trail’s Route 53 and Route 20 parking lots will be closed before and during the event. Normal trail operations will resume after the event concludes. In the event of rain, the walk will shift to Sunday, November 2.
Registration for “Climb the Mountain” includes a complimentary Gardens & Grounds Pass for the day, giving attendees the chance to explore Monticello beyond the walk.
“This event is about more than just reaching the top of the mountain—it’s about walking together toward Monticello’s future, a future where community looms large,” said Dr. Jane Kamensky, president & CEO of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. “Please join us as we embark on the next chapter of Monticello’s story.”
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register now at monticello.org/walk.
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. Today, the foundation seeks to bring history forward into national and global dialogues by engaging audiences with Jefferson’s world and ideas and inviting them to experience the power of place at Monticello and on its website. Monticello is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a United Nations World Heritage Site and a Site of Conscience. As a private, nonprofit organization, the foundation’s regular operating budget does not receive ongoing government support to fund its twofold mission of preservation and education. For information, visit monticello.org.