Monticello

The Main House

Monticello’s main house has thirty-three rooms, divided among the cellar and three floors, and features around 11,000 square feet of living space. There are few furnishings in Monticello, as Jefferson preferred open spaces. He favored built-in cabinets and furniture, and most of the home's beds are located in specially-designed alcoves. Jefferson’s suite of rooms, in the house’s south wing, consists of his private library, which once held over 6000 books in built-in bookcases around the modified octagonal room. (Jefferson sold his books to the Library of Congress after the British burned the library’s books in the War of 1812, forming the core of the present Library’s holdings.) His bedroom, also in the south wing, features his unique alcove bed, which is open on both sides – one to the bedroom and one side to his adjacent office.

Thomas Jefferson

The Outbuildings

Connected to the main building via open-air passageways lined by columns are the large kitchen (kept away from the house so as not to heat the house during the summer months), the food storerooms, craftsmen’s workshops (such as the blacksmith and woodcraft shop), and the slaves and servants quarters. Also in this section is the small room where Jefferson lived for years while building the main house and to which he brought his bride, Martha, after their wedding in 1772.

The Garden

Thomas Jefferson was an avid gardener. He grew over 170 different kids of fruit trees in the orchard as well as extensive flower gardens and borders, featuring over 105 species of annuals, bi-annuals, and perennials. Jefferson kept copious notes and sketches about his gardens and, following these, the gardens were restored to their former glory. The food at Monticello was well regarded and the household grew much of its own produce in the 1000-foot long vegetable and culinary garden. Today, visitors can stroll among the well-manicured grounds and glimpse life as it must have been during Jefferson’s time.

Visiting Monticello

Monticello welcomes visitors every day except for Christmas Day. Due to its relatively small rooms, the main house is viewable by tour only and docents tell visitors the story of the construction and life at Monticello. Seasonal tours of the gardens are available, or guests can stroll amidst the plantings on their own. A free visitor’s center at the entrance to the property contains over 400 items once owned by Jefferson as well as interactive exhibits about the estate.