Monticello
Monticello is the beautiful hilltop home that Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, designed himself. Its famous domed roof and red-brick walls sit among gardens, orchards, and rolling green hills.
It is famous as a clever house full of inventions Jefferson dreamed up, like a clock that tells the day of the week. The building is so special that its picture appears on the back of the U.S. nickel coin.
Clever inventions
Jefferson filled his home with smart gadgets, including double doors that open together and a machine that copied his writing. Kids love spotting all the surprising and inventive ideas hidden around the house.
Gardens and food
Jefferson grew hundreds of kinds of vegetables, fruits, and flowers in his big terraced gardens. He loved trying new plants, and the colorful gardens still bloom for visitors today.
A famous president's home
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and later became president while living here. Walking through his rooms helps visitors understand the man who helped build the young country.