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Thomas Jefferson called Monticello his “essay in architecture.” The author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States studied the buildings of ancient Rome and began building his house in 1768 atop the “Little Mountain” where he had played as a boy. However, after returning from France in 1789 with new ideas about architecture, he completely redesigned the house. As a result, Monticello is the remarkable integration of Jefferson’s love of classical architecture and passion for modern innovation. Today, the architectural masterpiece is the only house in the United States on the United Nations’ prestigious World Heritage List of international treasures.

Website address: www.monticello.org

Location/Address: P.O. Box 316, Charlottesville, VA 22902. For Mapping Purposes Only: 931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville, VA

Directions: www.monticello.org/visit/directions.html

Education Contact at Site: Not specified

Phone: 434-984-9853 Email Address: www.monticello.education.org

Theme Addressed at Site: Land of Leadership, Land of Conflict, Reunification and Rebuilding, Land of National Beauty and Rural Character

Education Programs and Corresponding SOL 

Programs We Can Do at our Site:

‘Roundabout Monticello’
Grades: 2-12. Virginia History SOL: VS.1, VS.4, VS.5, VS.6, USl.1, USl.5, USl.6, USl.7, USl.8, VUS.1, VUS.3
Participate in a special guided tour of the house, dependencies and remains of the once-bustling Mulberry Row. See Monticello as it would have looked two hundred years ago through the eyes of a skilled museum educator.
Available: All year
Program: Two and one-half hours for less than 100 people, three hours for over 100.
Group Size: Maximum 150 people.

Childhood in the Age of Jefferson
Grades: 2-3
Experience childhood in the early nineteenth century. Students will be given a guided tour of the house and dependencies and will have hands-on experiences with games similar to those used by Thomas Jefferson’s family. In the case of inclement weather, students will participate in an alternate activity based on artifacts of the period. Background reading is included in the cost of this program.
Available: April – October
Program: Two and one-half hours.
 Group Size: Maximum 80 people

Digging Up the Past
Grades: 3-6. Virginia History SOL: VS.1, USl.1, USl.5
Discover the field of historical archaeology. Your visit will include a hands-on “mini-dig” with students analyzing our culture from its material remains; a look at the exhibition, Thomas Jefferson at Monticello; and a guided tour of the house and grounds as they relate to archaeology. A resource packet is included in the cost of this program (see Resource Packet section).
Available: September – March
Program: Four hours (includes lunch on your own at the outdoor picnic area or on your bus).

Monticello Architecture
Grades: 3-6. Virginia History SOL: SOL3.1, VS.1, USl.1, USl.5, USl.6, USl.7
Discover the genius of Thomas Jefferson as seen in his architectural design of Monticello. Your visit will include : a house tour of Monticello with an emphasis on architecture; a close look at the exhibition, Thomas Jefferson at Monticello; and an architectural activity in the Learning Center. A resource packet is included in the cost of this program (see Resource Packet section).
Available: September – June
Program: Four hours (includes lunch on your own at the outdoor picnic area or on your bus).

Thomas Jefferson’s Family Life
Grades: 3-6. Virginia History SOL: VS.1, VS.4, VS.5, VS.6, USl.1, USl.5, USl.6, USl.7, USl.8
Discover the personal side of Thomas Jefferson. Your visit will include: a tour of Monticello and its dependencies; a close look at the exhibition, Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, located in the Thomas Jefferson Visitors Center; and a hands-on experience in the Monticello Learning Center. A resource packet is included in the cost of this program (see Resource Packet section).
Available: September – June
Program: Four hours (includes lunch on your own at the outdoor picnic area or on your bus).

Thomas Jefferson, Architect
Grades: 7-12. Virginia History SOL: VUS.1
Explore the world of Thomas Jefferson, architect. Learn about classical architecture and its influence on Jefferson’s own designs. Your visit will include a slide program in the Visitors Center and a look at the exhibition, Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. A tour of Monticello and the grounds, with an emphasis on architecture, is part of this program. A resource packet is included in the cost of this program (see Resource Packet section).
Available: September – June
Program: Four hours (includes lunch on your own at the outdoor picnic area or on your bus).

Monticello, A Working Plantation
Grades: 7-12. Virginia History SOL: VUS.1
Explore daily life on a Virginia slave plantation. Learn about slavery and Jefferson’s attempts to make Monticello self-sufficient while you view the house, dependencies and archaeological sites along Mulberry Row. Your visit will also include an activity in the Monticello Learning Center and a tour of the exhibition, Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. A teacher resource packet is included in the cost of this program (see Resource Packet section).
Available: September – June
Program: Four Hours (includes lunch on your own at the outdoor picnic area or on your bus).

Thomas Jefferson and the Pursuit of Liberty
Grades: 7-12. Virginia History SOL: VUS.1, VUS.4, VUS.5, GOVT.1, GOVT.3
Take a look at the political side of Thomas Jefferson. Your visit will include a special viewing and discussion of the movie Thomas Jefferson: the Pursuit of Liberty and a tour of the exhibition, Thomas Jefferson at Monticello in the Visitors Center. A tour of Monticello and its grounds will emphasize Jefferson and the influences that shaped his life.
Available: September – June
Program: Four Hours (includes lunch on your own at the outdoor picnic area or on your bus).

Other Site Features of Interest to Students and Teachers

Your admission ticket also includes access to the grounds and two optional outdoor guided tours, of the Plantation Community and of the Gardens and Grounds, which are offered daily April-October.

Plantation Community Tours: These guided tours, included in the price of admission, focus on African-American life at Monticello. Tours, which last about 45 minutes, begin in front of the Museum Shop at 10, 11, noon, 1, 2, and 3 daily, April 1-Oct. 31. Included in the price of a House Tour and Grounds Ticket; no reservations required.

Gardens and Grounds Tour: These guided tours, included in the price of admission, explore the restored flower and vegetable gardens, grove, and orchards. Tours, which last about 45 minutes, begin on the West Lawn at 9:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, 3:15, and 4:15 daily, April 1-Oct. 31. Included in the price of a House Tour and Grounds Ticket; no reservations required.

Monticello Visitor Center : Admission Free - Permanent exhibit, Thomas Jefferson at Monticello; Film, Thomas Jefferson: the Pursuit of Liberty; Museum Shop

Pre-Visit Materials Available 

Resource Packets
Resource packets are available for general classroom study as well as for use before a visit to Monticello. (The packets are included in the cost of every study tour when appropriate.) Packets consist of a teachers’ volume with background materials, facsimiles of primary documents, activities, lesson plans and cardstock student sheets suitable for photocopying.

Finding Isaac Jefferson Four lessons included. Grades 10 – Adult $25.00 Discover how history is researched and interpreted while learning about enslaved blacksmith Isaac Jefferson. Learn about Isaac Jefferson’s work, living conditions, family, and activities through examining Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book records and reading a transcribed oral history. Monticello: A Working Plantation Five Lessons included, Grades 7-12 $25.00, VA add $1.25 tax Created to show the broad spectrum of activities associated with a Virginia plantation, this unit looks at Thomas Jefferson as a plantation owner. A tireless record keeper, Jefferson recorded almost all aspects of life on a busy plantation. Thomas Jefferson, Architect Three lessons included, Grades 7-12 $15.00, VA add $.75 sales tax Explore the world of architect Thomas Jefferson, designer of Monticello, the University of Virginia, the Virginia State Capitol, and a variety of other buildings. Jefferson’s architectural prowess is explored through looking at elements of neoclassical architecture and Jefferson’s drawings. Jefferson and Travel Two lessons included, Grades 4-12 $10.00, VA add $.50 tax This unit is designed to acquaint students with the challenges traveling presented to Thomas Jefferson’s commitment to serve his country. The lessons give background on travel in Jefferson’s day and look at Jefferson’s personal accounts and records.

Thomas Jefferson’s Family Life Five lessons included, Grades 3-6 $25.00, VA add $1.25 tax Discover the personal side of Thomas Jefferson by looking at documents and information about his home and family life. Like many plantation owners, Jefferson included in his family his children, grandchildren and the slaves who lived on his plantation. Digging up the Past Two lessons included, Grades 3-6 $10.00, VA add $.50 tax Explore the process of decomposition as it relates to archaeology. This unit is intended to introduce students to the elements of archaeology and Jefferson’s interest in the field. Monticello Architecture Three lessons included, Grades 3-6 $15.00, VA add $.75 tax Students are introduced to the principles of architecture as seen at Monticello. The three lessons look at Jefferson as the architect and designer of Monticello, the geometry of architecture, and the simplified architectural drawings of Monticello. Monticello Adventures: A Discovery Story A story book, Grades 2 & 3 $10.00, VA add $.50 tax This story brings children back to the time of Thomas Jefferson. They see childhood in the age of Jefferson through the eyes of Jefferson’s granddaughter Cornelia Jefferson Randolph.

PLEASE NOTE: All prices include shipping and handling (continental US). We accept checks made out to TJF or charge cards. Virginia residents add sales tax or your tax exempt ID number.

Please Mail To:
Monticello Education Department
PO Box 316, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Program fees and miscellaneous  

Maximum Number of Students: 100 or 150 (depending on Program selected)  Minimum:  15

Admission/Program Fee: March 1 – October 31: $9.00; November 1 – February 28: $8.00. Reservations are required -- along with a $75 deposit -- and are made on a "first-come, first-served" basis. Typically, programs fill quickly, particularly those in the spring.

Handicap Accessibility: Yes

Bus/Vehicle Accessibility: Yes

Season of Operation:Year Round (closed only on Christmas Day)

Hours of Operation:(March – October) – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (November – February) – 9:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Picnic facilities/Nearest restaurant options: Picnic Benches (Not covered)

Restroom accessibility: Yes

Chaperone Requirements ( No. chaperones/no. of students): 1:10

Is there anything else we should know about your site?
There are two different methods for scheduling a visit for a school group to Monticello:
1st – Study Tours scheduled through the Education Department
2nd – General House tour – Reservations made with Reservation Office