1960
Monticello is designated a National Historic Landmark
Celebrating a Century On April 13, 1923, Thomas Jefferson’s 180th birthday, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation formed as a private nonprofit corporation and purchased Monticello to serve “as a memorial to the Author of the Declaration of Independence and for the purpose of inculcating through patriotic education a better understanding and appreciation of the life and service of Thomas Jefferson.” The following year, the house opened as a public attraction, and it has since welcomed more than 32 million visitors. During the past century, the Foundation has instituted numerous research and educational programs as well as major restoration and renovation projects, fulfilling its dual mission of preservation and education.
1963
U.S. Naturalization Service ceremonies
begin at Monticello on July 4th Over the past 60 years, close to 4,000 people from around the world have sworn their oath of American citizenship on the steps of Jefferson’s iconic home.
1923
Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation incorporated in New York Monticello is purchased from Jefferson Monroe Levy A successful three-term New York congressman, businessman at a public auction in 1879 for $10,500, recovering the home his uncle Uriah Levy had originally purchased in the 1830s. Jefferson Levy owned and cared for the Monticello estate until it was purchased for $500,000 by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation 44 years later. and lawyer, Jefferson Monroe Levy purchased Monticello
1986
Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants founded Established to collect, preserve and distribute historic plant varieties, the Center promotes greater appreciation
for the origins and evolution of garden plants. Jefferson’s
horticultural interests and the broad history of plants cultivated in America are areas of focus.
1939-41
Garden Club of Virginia landscape restoration Including the winding flower border on the West Lawn, the fishpond and the flower beds at the
1987
Monticello and the University of Virginia are jointly awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site designation World Heritage sites are chosen because they “represent a masterpiece of human creative
corners of the house, this project restored the gardens
to Thomas Jefferson’s original design.
genius” and “exhibit an important interchange of human values.” Monticello is the only U.S. presidential home on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
10 SPRING / SUMMER 2023
Powered by FlippingBook