MONTICELLO

Owned and operated by: The Thomas Jefferson Foundation

History: Construction began in 1769 according to Jefferson’s design. Work on a new design for remodeling and enlarging the house began in 1796 and was completed by 1809. Because Jefferson died more than $107,000 in debt, his heirs eventually sold the property to James T. Barclay, who bought the home and 552 acres for $4,500. In 1834, Uriah P. Levy, a naval officer who admired Jefferson’s views on religious tolerance, purchased the house. Levy died in 1862 and bequeathed Monticello to the government if certain condi-tions were met. During the Civil War, the Confederacy seized and sold the property. After the war, the government declined the terms of Levy’s request, and Levy’s heirs contested the ownership. Not until years of litigation had passed did Jefferson Monroe Levy, Uriah Levy’s nephew, take possession in 1879. Both uncle and nephew strove to preserve Monticello as a memorial to Jefferson. In 1923, Jefferson Levy sold Monticello to the newly created Thomas Jefferson Foundation.

Jefferson (April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826): Author of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, third U.S. president, founder of the University of Virginia, purchased the Louisiana Territory in 1803 and supported the Lewis and Clark expedition; married Martha Wayles Skelton; buried at Monticello.

Location: On Route 53 in Albemarle County

Number of visitors in 2007: 441,739

Annual budget: $19.4 million

Director: Daniel P. Jordan, since 1985 (retiring in November); Leslie Greene Bowman, beginning in October

Hours: March-October, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November-February, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. , every day except Christmas

Cost of admission: House tour and grounds: $15 for adults, $8 ages 6-11, free ages 5 and under (discounted rates for residents of Albemarle County and Charlottesville and University of Virginia students); Montalto tour: $13; Presidents pass (for Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland Michie Tavern): $29 for adults, $17.50 ages 6-11; online reservations possible; group rates available

More information: 984-9822; monticello.org