Join our staff to hear stories and discoveries about objects in our collections in these informal talks at the visitor center galleries. Each talk will highlight specific objects and include discussion time with our Curatorial Department staff.
No registration necessary.
2024 Talks
August 16: Almond Oil and Plaster: Jefferson’s Bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon
Diane Ehrenpreis, Curator of Decorative Arts and Historic Interiors
Long recognized as an outstanding work of art, the details of how Houdon captured Jefferson’s likeness in this bust are fascinating. Ehrenpreis will share an overview of the cultural scene in Paris where this bust was made as well as what happened to the Houdon busts in Jefferson’s collection.
September 20: Where Did Jefferson Stash All of Those Letters?
Diane Ehrenpreis, Curator of Decorative Arts and Historic Interiors
Jefferson’s lifetime correspondence totaled 47,000 letters, many of which were saved by him in his private suite at Monticello. To manage this archive, the statesman came up with a unique system of file presses and cartons, the extent of which has only recently been discovered.
October 18: Straight from Storage
Tabitha Corradi and Malia Sbach
November 15: The Nation's Guest: Lafayette Comes for Dinner
Emilie Johnson