Monticello Education

Teachers: we are still hosting FREE virtual field trips for your students! We can bring your class together virtually for a tour in real-time with a Monticello educator. Book now: bit.ly/2YopDAh

The Historic Landscape Institute from June 18-23 is a unique educational experience in the field of historic landscape preservation. Learn more about it here bit.ly/2ZWnqer

It's a great time to take advantage of the Saunders-Monticello Trail! Check out opening times and rules here: bit.ly/2UHApPN

Answer: Storm was not a name we’ve found for Jefferson’s horses, but there are clearly some very interesting name inspirations! Learn about Jefferson and Horses in this video with Monticello Guide Harriet Resio: bit.ly/3LbBgCF

Horses were important animals at Monticello, and Jefferson’s horses had some very interesting names! Which name below did NOT belong to a Monticello horse? (picture is of a horseshoe found along Mulberry Row) a) Caractacus b) Polly Peachum c) Storm d) Crab

Jefferson wrote, “music is the passion of my soul.” Check out this elementary school lesson plan by Jennifer Gergevin on musical instruments of Monticello! bit.ly/40kIOHI

Answer: It’s called Natural Bridge! Jefferson was eventually issued a patent in the name of George III for a 157-acre tract that included Natural Bridge. bit.ly/41mTtmo

Have you heard of this geological marvel? Jefferson saw it first on August 23, 1767 and called it the “most sublime of Nature’s works” in his book Notes on the State of Virginia. Do you know what it’s called?

Mark your calendars for May 27th if you want to come to the Center for Historic Plants open house! bit.ly/3osUIlq

Calling all 3rd to 6th graders! Monticello Summer Adventure Camp is a week-long day camp that gives kids the chance to participate in both indoor and outdoor activities including archaeology, exploring the gardens, solving puzzles, playing games, and more! bit.ly/2WN7FU3

Answer c) 6,707 volumes! Although there was some opposition in Congress to the purchase of Jefferson’s library, it went through and Jefferson was insistent that if Congress purchased, they should take the whole library, including fiction books and books in multiple languages.

Trivia time! In the war of 1812, Congress lost their library to the burning done by the British. Jefferson decided to sell his entire library, bookcases and all, to Congress to start the library back up again. Do you know how many books Jefferson sold? a) 9,702 b) 2,382 c) 6,707

Answer: a) Phillip Mazzei, a Florentine merchant, surgeon, and horticulturist, who befriended Thomas Jefferson. He eventually moved to Virginia due to his interest in the politics and because he wanted to perform agricultural experiments like growing wine.

Trivia time! Jefferson had many friends with many different interests to match his own varied curiosities. This friend shared Jefferson’s interest in growing wine. Any ideas who it could be? a) Phillip Mazzei b) Francesco Vigo c) Mario Pagano

Are you gardening this year? Come check out the Spring Plant Sale at the Center for Historic Plants on April 22 from 9-2! bit.ly/43L5Ry7

Check out this hub of stories, quotes, videos, biographies, podcasts, and timelines on civics in America! You can search by topic and explore some of the many resources we have available online: bit.ly/3ZgjOkN

Answer: c) cittern! Also called the English guitar. This one belonged to Virginia Randolph Trist, Jefferson’s granddaughter. Learn more about Randolph’s guitar from Monticello guide and ethnomusicologist, Kyle Chattleton! bit.ly/3KuIh1H

Trivia time! Music was everywhere at Monticello with many different players of different instruments, including this instrument! What is it? a) mandolin b) lute c) cittern

Check out these free Monticello coloring pages for your students! bit.ly/3KyQGRD

Applications for the Monticello Teacher’s Institute 2023 are now open! Apply by March 20, 2023, and learn more about this professional development program here: bit.ly/31B2xe5

Answer: a) Salome with John the Baptist’s head! Jefferson used this and other religious artworks as a conversation topic, which you can learn more about in this video: youtu.be/QH8dQDZvW_Q