Media Contact: J.A. Lyon, Director of Marketing & Communications, jlyon@monticello.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello today unveiled Climb the Mountain, Discover America, the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s new, ten-year strategic plan. Comprised of a new vision statement, strategic goals, and key initiatives, the plan aims to advance and amplify Monticello’s dual mission of preservation and education.
“This plan is nearly two years in the making, and we’ve taken care to thoughtfully consider and incorporate feedback from staff, supporters, and our community,” explained Dr. Jane Kamensky, president and CEO of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. “We’re excited to pursue these goals and initiatives as we champion Monticello as the country’s premiere historical destination for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.”
Monticello will celebrate the launch of the strategic plan with Climb the Mountain, a community walk on November 1, 2025. This family-friendly event invites guests to walk, run, or stroll from the base of the Saunders-Monticello Trail up to the iconic West Lawn of Monticello. After completing this two-and-a-half-mile walk, guests will hear brief remarks about the new plan while enjoying coffee and donuts courtesy of Constellation Culinary Group and Wegmans. Attendees will receive a complimentary Gardens & Grounds pass for the day to explore the mountaintop. Learn more and register at monticello.org/walk.
A New Vision: Embrace the Climb
“When clambering a mountain, we always hope the hill we are on is the last. But it is the next, and the next, and still the next.” -- Thomas Jefferson, 1786
While the strategic plan reaffirms its mission of preservation and education, it introduces a new vision, “Embrace the Climb.” Taking inspiration from a 1786 Thomas Jefferson quote, Monticello will embrace the ongoing journey toward understanding the history of the mountaintop, realizing the founding ideals of American democracy, and meeting the needs of visitors from around the world.
Four Strategic Goals
The plan defines four goals that will guide Monticello’s focus for the next decade:
I. Activate Landscapes – Beginning with a comprehensive land use planning effort, Monticello seeks to elevate the impact of its landscapes, connecting the preservation and education strands of its mission. An example of efforts to make Monticello lands more accessible is found in an upcoming right-of-way easement with Albemarle County to extend the county’s Old Mills Trail across Monticello-owned lands.
II. Strengthen Monticello from the Inside Out – Monticello is committed to supporting the growth of its staff and will introduce programs and resources to multiply its impact as a leader in historic preservation and civic education. Monticello’s new website, debuting in early 2026, will be an important tool in this effort.
III. Monticello for Virginia – Monticello seeks to engage more deeply with individuals, communities, and institutions across the Commonwealth. Robust partnerships reflect Monticello’s aim to be a site of inquiry, instruction, and pride for all Virginians.
IV. Monticello for America, Monticello as America – Monticello aims to be a meaningful and accessible resource for broad audiences, both on-site and online. Monticello’s Declaration Book Club offers a prime example. Leveraging the opportunities provided by the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, Monticello will serve the whole of America and its founding aspirations.
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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.