CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.— The merriment of the holidays combines with the sentiment of the past to create a special holiday season unlike any other at Monticello. From handcrafted to hands-on workshops, Monticello is your holiday destination this year. Join us for our month-long series Handmade for the Holidays, beginning December 1, 2012.
Back with our classic Wreath Workshops, now in their 26th year, crafters can learn how to create an all-natural wreath with materials handpicked from the grounds at Monticello.
Author and designer Charlotte Moss, shares her expertise during Charlotte Moss: A Visual Life, a designer scrapbook session. Moss will give insight into her latest book Charlottes Moss: A Visual Life, Scrapbooks, Collages, and Inspirations and reveal ways to embrace your inner artist using personal materials, ideas, photos and what inspires you.
Grab the sneakers and the family and head up to the mountaintop for our third annual Monticello Holiday Classic 5k and Deck the Halls Kid Dash. The most spirited holiday costume wins a prize!
Embrace your inner architect during our first ever My Monticello Gingerbread House Family Workshop. Families with little ones of all ages can enjoy this icing intense program. Try your hand at creating a masterpiece like Jefferson did!
Watch artisans create specialty crafts, sample heritage chocolate and pick up some gifts for family and friends during our second Handmade for the Holidays at the Monticello Museum Shop.
Share the experience of Monticello during the holidays with family, friends and colleagues during an intimate evening tour and reception or take part in one of our Holiday Evening Tours to experience the season during Jefferson’s time.
Holiday Events at Monticello
Nov. 29, 30 Dec. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8
Holiday Wreath Workshops
Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith Education Center
Thu, November 29, 2012, 10:00 am - Fri, November 30, 2012, 10:00 am
Sat, December 1, 2012, 9:30 a.m., 2:00 pm
Sun, December 2, 2012, 10:00 am
Mon, December 3, 2012, 10:00 am
Wed, December 5, 2012, 10:00 am
Fri, December 7, 2012, 10:00 am
Sat, December 8, 2012, 9:30 am, 2:00 pm
$55
These ever-popular workshops, in their 26th year, produce a gratifying and tangible end-product: a beautiful holiday wreath. Join Janet Miller, Lou Hatch, and Maggie Stemann Thompson as they lead participants through the process of creating their own wreaths in these three-hour workshops. All materials (straw wreath forms, pins, wire, etc.) will be provided, including a cornucopia of natural materials. Bring hand pruners. All workshops will be held at the Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith Education Center. Reserved tickets are required and can be purchased through the monticello.org website or by calling (434) 984-9881.
December 1, 2012
Monticello Holiday Classic 5k and Deck the Halls Kid Dash
Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center
8-10 am
Adults $30
Kids $10
Families, runners and walkers are invited to attend the 3rd annual Monticello Holiday Classic 5K and Deck the Halls Kids Dash, December 1, 2012. This year’s race starts just outside the entryway to Monticello, on the East Walk, and includes a jaunt around Jefferson’s house. The Kids Dash begins at 7:45 a.m. and the 5k starts at 8:00 a.m.
December 1, 2012
Handmade for the Holidays at the Monticello Museum Shop
Monticello Museum Shop – Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center
11 am - 2 pm
FREE
Handmade for the Holidays at the Monticello Museum Shop is your holiday destination for one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts this season!
Make sure to visit the Monticello Museum Shop on December 1st to meet the artisans who have created Monticello favorites like the Heirloom Hobby Horse by Channel Craft Toys, handcrafted bowls (made from Monticello Tulip Poplar, Sugar Maple and Walnut trees) from local woodworkers Fred Williamson and Kirk McCauley, and handmade pottery pressed with flower and herbs from Monticello created by Neena of Nina J Design Studios. Watch as local woodworker Denton Middleton hand carves spoons made from Monticello fruit trees during Handmade for the Holidays!
Holiday shoppers can choose from a wide selection of locally made handcrafted gifts, as well as Jefferson and Monticello related historic reproductions and inspirations. Kids will delight in creating beeswax candles with the Monticello staff. Prepare your garden for the winter months and create dried flower arrangements with gardening advice from Monticello gardeners. Handmade for the Holidays at the Monticello Museum Shop also includes a historic chocolate demonstration and tasting.
Admission to the Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center is free on Saturday, December 1, 2012.
December 1, 2012
Charlotte Moss: A Visual Life
(Scrapbooking Forum)
Smith Woodland Pavilion
1:30-3 pm
$80
Author and designer Charlotte Moss, shares her expertise during Charlotte Moss: A Visual Life, a designer scrapbook forum. Moss will discuss her latest book Charlottes Moss: A Visual Life, Scrapbooks, Collages, and Inspirations and reveal ways to embrace your inner artist using personal materials, ideas, photos and what inspires you. The forum will include a copy of Charlotte's latest book, Charlotte Moss: A Visual Life, Scrapbooks, Collages, and Inspirations, and a private book signing. Reserved tickets are required. $80 ($30 of your ticket represents a tax deductible gift to support Monticello).
Charlotte Moss Book Signing (to follow)
Monticello Museum Shop – Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center
3-4 pm
FREE!
The Monticello Museum Shop will hold a public book signing for author and designer Charlotte Moss. Always a creative and confident voice in the world of New York interiors since opening her business in 1985, Charlotte Moss is an icon of Southern warmth – hospitality, practicality and, of course, luxury.
In addition to designing interiors, Charlotte Moss’ career has included two retail stores, both celebrated for her unique blend of American, European and Classical influences. She has written seven books to date, with her eighth, A Visual Life: Scrapbooks, Collages, and Inspirations, released this fall. Charlotte is a Contributing Editor for The Wall Street Journal Magazine and Saturday’s Off Duty. The Monticello Museum Shop will be selling the following books by Charlotte Moss: A Visual Life: Scrapbooks, Collages, and Inspirations, Charlotte Moss Decorates and A Passion for Detail.
December 1, 2012
My Monticello Gingerbread House Family Workshop
Smith Woodland Pavilion
$49 family pass (admits up to 4 people and includes supplies for one gingerbread house)
Embrace your inner architect during our first ever My Monticello Gingerbread House Family Workshop. Kids and grownups alike will enjoy this icing intense program. Try your hand at creating your own architectural masterpiece, just like Mr. Jefferson! Escape the hustle and bustle of the outside world, and enjoy special family time during this two-hour workshop. Fuel your creativity with hot chocolate and cookies as you work together to craft a hand-made addition to your home’s holiday décor. Recommended for families with children ages seven and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance reservations required.
December 15, 20-23, 26-30
Holiday Evening Tours
Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Monticello
$45
Monticello’s small-group house tours, which include the Dome Room, offer visitors an intimate look at how the holidays were celebrated in Jefferson's time. Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to experience Monticello after dark. Tours begin at 5:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on each date. Tickets are $45 and reserved tickets are required. For ticketing and information please visit Holiday Evening Tours on our www.monticello.org.
December 14, 16
Holiday Evening Tour and Reception
Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Monticello
$75
Begin with an intimate tour revealing how the holidays were celebrated at Monticello and visit the rarely seen dome room. At the conclusion of your tour, sample culinary delights from Jefferson’s time; go home with a copy of a recipe found in Jefferson’s own hand to inspire your holiday table. Additional tour dates and times available to private groups of 20 or more. $75 per person, Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Monticello, 3:30– 6:30 pm Tickets are limited, so please reserve in advance. www.monticello.org/holidayreception
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About Monticello
Thomas Jefferson Foundation was incorporated in 1923 to preserve Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, Virginia. Monticello is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark and a United Nations World Heritage Site. As a private, nonprofit organization, the Foundation receives no regular federal or state budget support for its twofold mission of preservation and education. About 450,000 people visit Monticello each year. For information, visit www.monticello.org.