Read about Thomas Jefferson's estate Monticello. See the history and location of Monticello, and learn interesting facts about Thomas Jefferson and his Virginia home.
Updated: 11/21/2023
Thomas Jefferson & Monticello | Thomas Jefferson's Estate in Virginia
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Frequently Asked Questions
What did Thomas Jefferson do in Monticello?
Thomas Jefferson worked on his gardens, architectural designs, literary pieces, inventions, and more while in Monticello. He took a very active role in developing his estate when he was not serving as an ambassador, secretary of state, or president.
What is the significance of Monticello?
Jefferson's Monticello is significant because it was the estate of the third U.S. president. Monticello also serves as an early example of Neoclassical architecture in the U.S. Jefferson hoped that the design of Monticello would symbolize democracy and freedom due to its Greek and Roman style architectural features.
Did Thomas Jefferson die in Monticello?
Thomas Jefferson spent the majority of his final days on his estate at Monticello. He died on July 4, 1826, buried in the family cemetery on the grounds.
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ShowWhere did Thomas Jefferson live, and what was the name of Thomas Jefferson's estate? "Monticello" was the name for the estate in which Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, resided. The name is Italian for "little mountain," and Jefferson gave this title because his home was built on a hill on the plantation/estate. The Thomas Jefferson Monticello comprised about 8 square miles of land in Virginia and was passed on via inheritance to Thomas Jefferson. His estate was significant due to its Neoclassical architectural features and symbolism of Enlightenment ideals. In addition, the main house was full of various Jefferson inventions, designs, books, collections, etc., that reveal characteristics and histories of its owner.
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Where is Monticello Located?
The Thomas Jefferson house Virginia is in Charlottesville, VA on the east coast of the United States. The young Thomas Jefferson grew up at Shadwell, VA, the main plantation land of his father, Peter. Shadwell functioned as a tobacco farm and continued after Jefferson took ownership of the entire estate. Monticello was initially comprised of 5,000 acres of land and featured two small mountains, hills, wooded areas, parts of the Rivanna River, and various streams. Once Thomas inherited the entire estate, he built a home on the hill site he loved when he was younger. The name "Monticello" was given to the site once the building on the house began.
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Thomas Jefferson inherited his family's 5,000-acre estate/plantation at the young age of 26. The lands were divided into smaller farms or land parcels to oversee the outlying land areas on the property effectively. The smaller farms were called "quarter farms" and included Shadwell, Tufton, and Lego. The farms and various locations on the estate served many different purposes; there was a river-powered mill on the plantation, and the farms grew tobacco and other crops. Jefferson's main house was built on his Monticello mountain, but smaller work-related buildings and homes existed throughout the estate.
Who lived in Monticello? Jefferson, his family, and over 100 enslaved people at any given time all lived at Monticello. He got married to Martha Wayles Skelton in 1772, who joined Jefferson at Monticello for a time. Sadly, she died just ten years into their marriage and never got to see the result of Jefferson's plans for their estate. They had six children together, but just two survived to adulthood. Plans for the building of the main house were by Jefferson; he had local stonemasons, carpenters, and builders work on the house, and some enslaved he owned. The building process on his new home began in 1768-69. Jefferson and his family lived in the main house at the Shadwell part of his land until it burned down in 1770. After the fire, he moved to the South Pavilion of his estate until his new main house construction was completed. The South Pavilion was the first structure built on Monticello mountain. The Monticello estate, under the direction of Jefferson, went through two main periods of construction.
Hundreds of enslaved people lived and worked on Jefferson's Monticello estate as farm laborers, carpenters, stone men, artisans, house attendants, and more. The enslaved woman Sally Hemings grew up on the Monticello plantation and was thought to have been the mistress of Jefferson; she had at least six children by him. Four of the children survived to adulthood, and all were freed at some point by Jefferson. No other enslaved families were known to have been freed by him. Sally herself was never legally freed, but unofficially so after his death. According to some historical records, Sally Heming accompanied Jefferson's daughters on a trip to France when she was just a teenager. Slavery was outlawed in Paris at the time, and she agreed to go back home only under certain conditions- she would be allowed certain privileges and eventual freedom for any children she bore.
By Jefferson's death, he was in outstanding debt, and the estate began to fall into disrepair. His daughter Martha Randolph and her son Thomas Jefferson Randolph were forced to sell the vast estate due to insufficient funding to keep it afloat. Reports state that Jefferson was in debt due to his father-in-law and at least one friend he lent money to; the debt was around $107,000 or approximately $2 million by today's standards. Therefore, the estate was sold and bought in 1836 by Uriah Levy, who worked on its restoration and preservation. During the Civil War, the property was seized for a time, as it was in Southern territory but belonged to a Union/Northern sympathizer. After the war, ownership went back to the Levy family. Later, the non-profit group The Thomas Jefferson Foundation bought the property in 1923, and it has been used as a museum and educational institution since.
Construction of Monticello
Typically, historians divide construction into two distinct periods at Monticello- they are referred to as the "first" and "second Monticello," respectively. The first period of construction on Jefferson's Monticello started in 1768 and ended by 1771. The second era of construction went from about 1793- 1809 and occurred after Jefferson served as a foreign ambassador to France and then his post as President George Washington's secretary of state. Jefferson was the U.S. president from 1801-1809 and resided in the White House, but the building continued on his Monticello estate. All recorded construction on the Thomas Jefferson house (Monticello) was made using items from the estate's grounds. Who built Monticello? Local, white builders mostly worked on the construction of the house, but enslaved and skilled carpenter John Hemings also completed some of the house's construction.
In 1784, Jefferson left to serve as a foreign minister to France. He returned in 1789 and then served as the first secretary of state under George Washington. Jefferson's time in France was said to have inspired the many architectural ideas he returned home with, especially regarding the French Neoclassical style. He resigned his post in 1793 from Washington's cabinet and then worked on remodeling his home until 1809 (with his presidency towards the latter half of that time). Jefferson came up with his own designs for the house and based his ideas on various models/buildings he saw while in France. He liked the Roman/Greek-inspired Neoclassicism, especially due to its difference from the British-style architecture. Jefferson sought to create new American architecture that was different from the British popular style. Neoclassicism was marked by straight lines, simplicity, slight color variation, symmetry, etc. This style was a sharp contrast to the once-popular Baroque and Rococo styles, which critics viewed excessive and gaudy. Baroque and Rococo styles that came before Neoclassicism were thought to be the wealthy elite and aristocratic styles. Jefferson reportedly wanted his designs to reflect democratic principles, establishing a connection with ancient Rome through architecture. Characteristically Neoclassical designs were also incorporated into the Virginia State Capitol and the Rotunda at the University of Virginia, which Jefferson also helped design.
When the new house or "second Monticello" was completed, it was double the first size. The house held Jefferson's massive collection of books, artifacts, art, many house guests, and more. With a total of 43 rooms, the final house structure was three stories. The house had two porticos; the east portico gives access to public parts of the house, and the west features a private entrance that opens into the gardens area. The west portico also features Doric columns that support a triangular pediment, including a circular window. A wooden balustrade encircles the roofline, and probably the most recognizable feature- the octagonal dome sits atop the house. The dome mentioned above was reportedly the very first dome built in the U.S. The gardens of Monticello are beautiful and extensive, as they were also designed and overseen by Jefferson; he was very interested not only in architecture but also in horticulture. In addition, most of the furniture and various pieces in the home were also designed by Jefferson.
Quarters of the Enslaved
Over 100 enslaved peoples lived and worked on the Monticello estate at any given time, and reportedly hundreds worked there throughout Jefferson's life. The enslaved lived in various dwellings on the estate, dependent on their work. Field workers lived in houses close to the fields/farms, usually in small multi-family or single-family homes. Meanwhile, the Mulberry Row enslaved quarters had log and stone house rooms under the main house's south terrace for domestic workers and artisans.
Sally Hemings lived most of her life along the Mulberry Row quarters, likely starting in the Stone Workmen's House where her family before her resided. When she was a bit older, she was thought to have been given a cellar-like room under the main house-still in the same general area as before, under the south terrace of the main house. Due to her higher status, Sally was given certain privileges and was a house servant and chambermaid to Jefferson's daughters.
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Some interesting facts about Monticello include:
- Monticello was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 for its historical significance and preservation.
- There were 13 skylights in the main house because Jefferson loved natural light.
- The glass windows for the dome were made in Austria.
- A scene from Monticello appears on the back of the U.S. nickel; it has also been featured on postage stamps.
Some interesting facts about Thomas Jefferson include:
- Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826.
- Jefferson died at his estate and was buried in the family cemetery at Monticello.
- An obelisk grave marked his burial site and was inscribed according to his wishes.
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Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate's location is in Charlottesville, VA and initially comprised about 5,000 acres of land. Jefferson inherited the vast plantation estate when he was only 26 years old. He designed a house on top of a favorite childhood hilltop, which he named "Monticello" after the Italian meaning "little mountain." The estate had several functional farms and even a water-powered mill.
Jefferson designed the Monticello main house in the French Neoclassical architectural style, which was distinctively different from the popular British styles. The finished house had 43 total rooms. Enslaved skilled carpenter John Hemmings helped build the main house, which was uncommon as white laborers primarily built the house. Monticello is featured on the back of a U.S. nickel and has been portrayed on postage stamps. In modern times, the property serves as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a functional museum and educational facility owned and operated by The Thomas Jefferson Foundation.
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Monticello: One of the Most Famous Homes in America
Think of some of the most famous homes in America. What comes to mind? For many people, the White House in Washington, D.C. would probably be on the list. The Biltmore Estate in Ashville, North Carolina might also be on the list. Some people might even suggest the homes of certain celebrities.
For others, Thomas Jefferson's home, called Monticello, would make the list, and rightfully so. Monticello, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is one of the most famous historic homes in the U.S. If you turn a nickel on its tail, you will see an image of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello; in many ways, the home is an American symbol. Let's explore the history and the highlights of Thomas Jefferson's beloved home.
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History of Monticello
Imagine being only 25 or 26 years old, and planning to build a mansion on a plantation. That was a reality for Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was born in Shadwell, Virginia (just outside of Charlottesville,) and inherited vast tracts of land in the area from his father. In 1768, while only in his mid-20s, he began clearing a hilltop over the city of Charlottesville where he would design and construct what would become one of the most famous homes in America.
By 1772 the north wing of the house which contained the dining room was finished and made habitable. This date is often cited as the date in which Monticello was built. In reality, it was a work in progress as construction and remodeling of additional wings and areas continued until 1809. In fact, until his death in 1826, Jefferson was constantly making improvements to his home.
While Jefferson was, in fact, a slave-owner, much of Monticello was built by white architects and craftsmen. The exception was John Hemmings, a skilled carpenter and a slave, who helped construct the building's interior. Of course, Jefferson oversaw the entire project and was intimately involved in its construction.
Jefferson lived in the White House while he was president from 1801-1809, but before and after his presidency, he lived at Monticello with his wife, Martha Wayles Jefferson, and two daughters, Mary and Martha. The Jeffersons also regularly had family and friends stay with them.
Additionally, it is believed that 100 or more slaves lived on the Monticello plantation at any given time. Several different slave families lived on the plantation in modest quarters constructed nearby. Among them were the Hemmings family, the Gillette family, and many others.
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Features of Monticello
Let's examine the layout and features of the house itself. Its design is considered neo-classical, meaning a new form of classical Greek and Roman architecture. To provide you with a reference, many of the government buildings in Washington, D.C., including the U.S. Capitol, are also built in the neo-classical style. Domes, arches, and columns are essential components of neo-classical architecture.
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Monticello features two porticos (porches with columns and roof:) an east portico (the front) and a west portico (the back). To the north and the south are two terraces (raised walkways.) If you're looking at Monticello from above, it looks a little bit like a plus sign. In the center is a dome room, the interior of which Jefferson had painted yellow. Windows are plentiful throughout the building, providing a great deal of natural light. There are forty-three total rooms in Jefferson's Monticello, bringing its area to about 11,000 square feet.
Some of the highlighted rooms include the bedchamber, where Jefferson died in 1826, the octagonal rooms (he loved octagonal architecture!), the parlor, and the library. Jefferson painted the interior in bright colors; greens, yellows, blues, and pinks were popular in his day. There are eight fireplaces in the building that originally helped provide heat in the winter. Underneath the main floor are cellar areas where Jefferson stored his wine, and where the cooking was done.
Interestingly enough, archaeologists at Monticello have recently been excavating a cellar room where they believe Sally Hemmings, a slave and half-sister of John Hemmings, resided. It is believed that Thomas Jefferson had an affair with Sally Hemmings, affording her the unique position of living in the mansion.
The Monticello plantation also featured extensive gardens. For Jefferson, his home was a slice of paradise. He adored Monticello and wished to be buried there, which is why today, if you visit the home, you'll also see Jefferson's tombstone, located on the grounds. Monticello is a uniquely American symbol, representing Thomas Jefferson and all he stood for.
Lesson Summary
Let's review.
- Monticello is Thomas Jefferson's home located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The first portion was finished in 1772, but underwent several remodels and additions. Monticello is featured on the back of the nickel.
- Thomas Jefferson was born in Shadwell, Virginia, just a few miles from where Monticello now sits.
- While much of Monticello was built by white laborers, John Hemmings, a skilled carpenter and woodworker, and a slave, helped in the building's construction.
- Monticello is built in the neo-classical architectural style, a ''new form'' of classical Greek and Roman architecture.
- Recently archaeologists have uncovered a cellar room where they believe Sally Hemmings resided. Sally Hemmings was a slave with whom it is believed Thomas Jefferson had an affair.
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Thomas Jefferson & Monticello | Thomas Jefferson's Estate in Virginia
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