MONTICELLO

Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: September 6, 2007

Thomas Jefferson was known for being a generous and gracious host, and back in his day his beloved Monticello was often filled with guests.

Today, people continue to flock to "the little mountain" to tour the home of the third president and stroll over the beautiful grounds. Building the home and developing the gardens and orchards were ongoing projects for much of Jefferson's life.

The area where the Roman neoclassical house is located was cleared and leveled in 1768. The following year the construction began and was far enough advanced by 1770 for Jefferson to move into the completed South Pavilion.

Building and remodeling continued from time to time until 1809. Monticello continues to evolve by adding new and innovative ways to tell the story about Jefferson and his home, which is located on Route 53, Thomas Jefferson Parkway, in Albemarle County.

Central Virginia's most famous landmark is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March through October and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November through February. It's open every day of the year except Christmas.

Admission is $15 for adults; $7 for ages 6-11; $7 for University of Virginia students and Charlottesville and Albemarle County residents. Admission is free for children under age 6 and for Charlottesville, Albemarle County and UVa students who bring paying guests from out of town.

The Garden Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily from March to November. The Monticello Museum Shop on the mountaintop is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the one at the Monticello Visitors Center on Route 20 is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Monticello is currently the site of much construction as the estate builds new facilities for visitors, so as to eventually remove old facilities, such as the gift shop, from the historic grounds area around the mountaintop home.

Special events and programs are planned throughout the year, and reduced rates are available for adult and youth groups.

Monticello also offers the Montalto Tour. This guided interpretive tour takes visitors to the landmark peak that rises 410 feet above Monticello.

Tours of this venue, also known as Brown's Mountain, are conducted daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., weather permitting, through Oct. 31. The tours leave from the ticket office at Monticello and the admission for adults is $13, $7 for children 6-11 and $7 for Charlottesville and Albemarle residents and UVa students.

To learn about other tours and events at Monticello, visit www.monticello.org or call 984-9822.