Jefferson Library

05/29/2026

We hope you'll tune in on June 10th to hear our esteemed colleagues discuss their new entry in on Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson!

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Only a handful of her writing survives—including this charming sketch of some ducks—but new research has uncovered fascinating insights into the life of Thomas Jefferson's wife, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson.

On June 10, 2026, join Managing Editor Patti Miller and Nicole Brown of the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello for a free online talk uncovering the life and legacy of Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson, as new research brings her contributions into focus.

Register here: https://loom.ly/v19NmnU

05/18/2026

What faith did Thomas Jefferson place in future Americans to accomplish what the revolutionary generation could not? Colleen Shogan talks with Andrew Davenpo...

05/14/2026

If you are interested in Thomas Jefferson + libraries, check out this talk on May 20 by ICJS fellowship alum Melissa Adler. Free and online! https://nyslibrary.libcal.com/event/16474726?fbclid=IwdGRleARyszdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeCsT-_IMC2I8iSTkEwaUMpaZ8awe2kjbzSZLJmZ1-5IbToQ1_kP_jZogG3KM_aem_a_AMYForsT0Pqq9pWf_UwQ

As we recognize the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we are called to reflect on the founders' vision for American democracy. This talk will...

05/10/2026

In late January of 1801, Thomas Jefferson was in Washington, D.C., no doubt anxiously awaiting the results of the 1800 presidential election. His daughter, however, was back in Virginia, experiencing the daily joys and frustrations of motherhood. At that time, Martha Jefferson Randolph was 28, and she had four living children: Anne Cary (10), Thomas Jefferson (8), Ellen (4), and Cornelia (2), and was two months pregnant with her daughter Virginia. Writing at the end of January, Martha asked after her father, but the content of her letter clearly communicates her preoccupation with her children – at turns fond, anxious, and exasperated. Her son has “cought (that filthiest of all disorders) the itch,” and she despairs that “my 2 eldest are uncommonly backward in every thing much more so than many others who have not had half the pains taken with them.” Her four-year-old, Ellen, however, is “wonderfully apt,” but little Cornelia is constantly foiling her plans. “Ellen counts the weeks and continues scoring up complaints against Cornelia whom she is perpetually threatning with your displeasure. long is the list of misdemeanors which is to be comunicated to you, amongst which the stealing of 2 potatoes carefully preserved 2 whole days for you but at last Stolen by Cornelia.” Despite these trials, the children looked upon their mother fondly. Later in life, Ellen would write that her mother, Martha, “had loved [her] better than any other being on earth could do—for under heaven there is no love like that of a mother.”

05/05/2026

Check out our colleague Nicole Brown talking about historical fashion!

05/01/2026

I had the opportunity to walk up to the mountaintop today. It’s gorgeous spring weather, and I snapped this photo of the grave of Rachel Levy with the mountains in the distance. Rachel Philips Levy’s son, Uriah Levy, owned Monticello from 1836 until his death in 1862. Rachel Levy died in 1839.

04/24/2026

To write her latest book, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Beverly Gage visited 300 historic sites — and next month, she’s coming to Monticello! Join us on May 19 to hear Gage discuss “This Land is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S. History.” Meet Professor Gage and get your copy signed before the talk begins at 6:00 p.m.

Get your tickets before they sell out!: bit.ly/4taYGet

04/17/2026

Spring is in full swing in central Virginia - check out some of our wonderful blooms around the Kenwood campus! 🌺 🌱

04/10/2026

Did you know? Among all the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson read and owned the most books.📚

He declared books to be “necessary of life.” (He also said the same thing about wine, scented hair powder, and…“sallad” oil?) A self-described bibliomaniac, Jefferson had a voracious appetite for reading from his youth. He relied heavily on his books as his chief source of inspiration and practical knowledge, and strongly believed in the importance of reading and education in building an informed citizenry for the nation. Jefferson helped form the nation’s first congressional library in 1802 while president of the United States, and his Monticello library later became the foundation for today’s Library of Congress when he sold his books in 1815 to replace the collection destroyed during the War of 1812.

Before his death on July 4, 1826, he also curated the University of Virginia’s first library collection.