Monticello
Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville are the two major works of Thomas Jefferson (president, writer, architect), and outstanding examples of neoclassical architecture. He was inspired by Andrea Palladio's
Four Books of Architecture and several trips to Europe.
Monticello (1769-1809) is an example of a neoclassic
villa rustica, based on a Roman design. The estate included a plantation for growing tobacco and corn, later replaced by the more lucrative wheat. It also held living quarters for his many workers and slaves.
The Academical Village of the University of Virginia was based on Jefferson’s educational ideals, "that learning is a lifelong and shared process, and that interaction between scholars and students enlivens the pursuit of knowledge." Its most famous building is The Rotunda, which sits at the north end of the Lawn.
Visit April 2009
I was already present at Monticello at 8 am, fearing that this may be a very popular attraction. And indeed, a group of schoolchildren also just arrived. Fortunately they got on their own tour and I didn't see them again. While waiting for the shuttle bus that takes you to the house, I admired the new visitor center that has just opened a few days ago. It has reserved ample room for a huge museum shop. There's also an exhibition about Jefferson as an architect, how he designed, built and where he got his ideas. Well done.
The tour takes about 30 minutes and takes you through the rooms on the ground floor. The house has period furniture in it, though not all belonging to Jefferson. He died bankrupt and much was sold after his death (including his slaves). Via the use of sky lights and high windows the rooms appear very bright.
The tour is quite superficial, and deals mostly with Jefferson as a person. After that you're free to roam the grounds on your own. That includes the underground passages and Mulberry Row, where the labourers and slaves lived.
Later I also paid a visit to the Academical Village of the University of Virginia. I didn't succeed at first (in the morning) because all parking spots in the immediate area were already taken. All those American students with cars of course! So I returned after dinner. It's really worth the effort. The students live in small rooms that hold nothing more than 2 beds and some personal stuff. As it was a warm evening, most of them had their doors opened up to the central lawn. Especially if you're over 30 you might feel a little out of place here. But you're free to have a look around. You'll be overwhelmed by its strong neoclassicist layout.
More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery
Reviews
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I visited Monticello in April of 1996 with my daughter on her 8th grade Washington DC trip. Monticello was a great experience to see. My daughter and I thought that the surrounding country side around Monticello was beautiful.We also visited the campus of the University of Virginia on a short tour, which I thought was also impressive. |
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Klaus Freisinger (Austria):
To be in the Washington area and not to take the relatively short trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, is really to miss a great sight. Monticello is one of the most famous residences in the world, and rightly so, since its constructor, Thomas Jefferson, was not only a politician, but also a Renaissance man of the highest order, with numerous hobbies and interests, all of which can be noticed at Monticello. The day I visited was unfortunately very foggy and rainy, but I hear you can see the Blue Ridge Mountains very well from there on a sunny day... Be sure to make the short walk to Jefferson´s grave to admire his modest tombstone. He didn´t want to be remembered as America´s 1st Secretary of State, 2nd Vice President, or 3rd President, but rather as "Author of the Declaration of Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and the Father of the University of Virginia". The latter can be visited as well, and is an interesting example of a classic American university with great architecture (especially the Rotunda). Nearby, the historic Michie Tavern is a touristy, but interesting place to shop and eat. |
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Philip T.K. (Canada):
 I visited Monticello on a day trip from Washington, D.C. It took a little more than two hours to reach the site by car and another two to get back but it was definitely worth it. The tour of his house and the surrounding areas really gives you a view of Thomas Jefferson's mind. The house is filled with priceless antiques and old books. My only complaint is that the tour sizes are way too big for such a small place; I found myself having to squeeze through people in order to view everything in the many rooms. I did not have time (and the interest) to visit the University of Virginia so I cannot comment on that but Monticello is definitely worth a visit. |
| Date posted: July 2006 |
Emilia Bautista King (U.S.A.):
 Monticello, which means "little mountain" in Italian, was the home of Thomas Jefferson. This architectural endeavor occupied Jefferson's mind, as he designed the house and supervised its construction, which began in 1769. Jefferson lived in France for five years while serving as an ambassador and so much of Monticello was inspired by the classical houses he saw in Paris. In 1782, a French visitor stated that Jefferson was "the first American who has consulted the Fine Arts to know how he should shelter himself from the weather."
The guides are very well knowledgeable about every nook and corner of the house and landscape. I really felt like I was taking a step back in time and felt very disoriented when I left the mountain to return to "present-time" downtown Charlottesville. If you decide to visit Monticello, I highly recommend not only taking the house tour, but also the garden tour and plantation community tour. The latter focuses on the African-American slaves who worked on the 5,000 acre plantation. The garden and plantation community tours are available from April 1-October 31.
I also suggest that if you have the time, purchase a "Presidents' Pass," which is a discount combination ticket giving you admission to Monticello, Michie Tavern, and Ash Lawn-Highland. The Presdients' Pass costs $26.00 US per person. These three sites are very close to each other. Michie Tavern was the social center of its community in the late 1700s. The tavern's dining room offers a wonderful Midday Fare, which features U.S. southern period dishes. Ash Lawn-Highland was the home of former President James Monroe.
As for the University of Virginia, I was only able to drive through it. However, I saw the "Academic Village," which was built by Thomas Jefferson. Tours are available inside the rotunda of the University of Virginia. |
| Date posted: April 2006 |
Marjorie Serrano (USA):
I visited Monticello in 1975 and it is one of my favorite memories. You must experience the space to begin to understand the genius of Thomas Jefferson. It is a beautiful and peaceful place, a step back in time.
In 1999, I visited another of Jefferson's houses, Poplar Forest, in Lynchburg, Virginia. It was even more impressive to me than Monticello. It is in the process of a very well-planned and executed restoration. You can see how the structure was originally designed and constructed. Much of the process is well documented in Jefferson's writings to his carpenter. I look forward to visiting again as restoration progresses. I spent one night in Charlottesville on the same trip and foolishly missed an opportunity to visit the University of Virginia. I am now an architecture student and many educators consider a visit to this campus essential to the education of an architect. Virginia is a beautiful state and I am glad to have another reason to return there. |
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