Monticello Blog

"It's as close as you can get to a conversation with Thomas Jefferson.”

Vegetable gardens are sprouting up everywhere, thanks to a renewed interest in fresh, locally-grown food that is sweeping across America.

Odelia Rasheed, 36, hadn’t planned to become an American.

This July 4th marks the 50th anniversary of the first naturalization ceremony held at Monticello. Kay Nimax, 77, will be there as around 80 men and women from across the globe will become American citizens on the West Lawn of Monticello on the nation’s birthday. Nimax has made a point to celebrate Monticello’s significant naturalization ceremony anniversaries.

Monticello's joint exhibition with the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

After my freshman year at Georgetown University I returned to my hometown for a summer internship in the Education and Visitor Programs Department at Monticello.

I often conclude my tours of Mulberry Row with the story of Peter Fossett, the son of Monticello’s blacksmith Joseph Fossett and his wife Edith, Monticello’s head cook.

I found something the other day which has turned out to be very interesting indeed.

Michelle Obama declared in 2010 that the White House kitchen garden “has been one of the greatest things I’ve done in my life so far.” The garden is a central feature of the first lady’s “Let's Move” initiative to create healthier American children by combating childhood obesity, improving school lunch programs, and introducing children to the joys of gardening and fresh vegetable cuisine.