Kenwood

Kenwood

Faithfully restored to accommodate the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello, Kenwood is ideal for small gatherings and meetings. Situated on 78.5 acres of land once owned by Jefferson, the main Kenwood house was built between 1939 and 1941 for Major General Edwin M. Watson, a senior military aid to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt adopted Kenwood as his Camp David during his presidency, and retreated here on several occasions.

Photo of Kenwood, a white-painted brick two-story house with blue shutters on three second-story windows, a white door crowed with a broken pediment and flanked by two windows, and shaded by a large tree with two large, reaching branches.

Venue Highlights

  • Guest capacities of 10-50
  • Onsite staff support including a member from our events, security, and custodial team
  • Tables and chairs available for use
  • An exclusive on-site caterer to handle all your food, beverage and rental needs (price of food, beverage and rentals is separate from venue rental fee)
  • Large parking area to accommodate guest transportation
  • Opportunity for tours of the Kenwood house
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Kenwood Spaces

The Kenwood parlor, a two-story space with light green walls, large double doors, hardwood floors mostly covered by a pale, pattern rug, and light by tall windows, each of which has an octagonal window above.

Parlor

Kenwood features an elegant parlor complete with original artwork and furnishings. The home is well appointed with a full kitchen and butler's pantry to accommodate catering and service needs. Your guests will also enjoy access to the stone terrace, located just off the dining room, which overlooks the rolling hills of Virginia's Piedmont.
A light-yellow dining room with wood floors, a rug, large windows, a set of french doors, and a large table with a set of eight chairs with green upholstery.

Dining Room

The Kenwood Dining Room, adjacent to the Kenwood Parlor, is an ideal choice for an intimate dinner, or a cocktail hour before dinner in the Kenwood Parlor.
A small courtyard centered around a small fountain with a shady white gazebo at the back.

Garden

The Kenwood Garden is ideal for outdoor gatherings of up to 60 people. The gazebo and adjacent courtyard and lawn are perfect for a sunset reception or cocktail hour before dinner inside the Kenwood Parlor.

Gallery

Other Venues

To inquire about hosting your event at one of our venue spaces, please fill out the Event Inquiry Form or contact us at 434-984-9821 | events@monticello.org.

As a Site of Conscience, we are committed to engaging our guests with a deeper understanding of Monticello’s history as a plantation. Out of respect for the enslaved men, women, and children who lived and labored here, we do not allow private, non-educational events on the West Lawn, Mulberry Row, or elsewhere on the mountaintop.

 

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