Historical Sites
Monticello, the Rotunda and the grounds of UVA - designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites - draw both U.S. and international visitors intrigued by how the area helped shape and was shaped by the politics and personalities of the country's founding fathers.
Not surprisingly, both sites bear the touch of one of world's most important historical figures, Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors each year tour Monticello, the mountaintop home he planned and designed in painstaking details and continued to evolve throughout his life. Ash Lawn-Highland, the nearby residence of the fifth U.S. president, James Monroe offers a unique perspective on the working farm and estate that friend, neighbor and fellow President Jefferson too understood.
Jefferson's most important legacy, however, lies in the heart of Charlottesville. One for which the architecture is merely the outer trappings to underlying ideals: The Rotunda and adjoining Pavilions that form The Lawn at the University of Virginia founded what is today one of the top universities in the nation, fulfilling Jefferson's vision of creating a "bulwark of the human mind in this hemisphere."
While these sites form a triple crown for history lovers, the region offers much more for anyone fascinated by glimpses of the challenges, culture and quirks of colonial life, including a free walking tour of historic downtown.
Featured Listings
Michie Tavern ca. 1784 - A Virginia Historic Landmark
- 683 Thomas Jefferson Parkway
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 977-1234 | Fax: (434) 296-7203
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
- Visit Website
MICHIE TAVERN, located ½ mile below Jefferson’s Monticello, accommodated travelers with food, drink and lodging more than 200 years ago. Today, visitors experience the Tavern’s past through an historical journey which recreates 18th-century tavern life. Servers in period attire offer bountiful COLONIAL MIDDAY FARE. The rustic tavern setting renders a dining experience rich in southern culture and hospitality featuring a buffetof southern fried chicken,hickory-smoked pork barbecue, stewed tomatoes, black-eyed peas, buttermilk biscuits and so much more. Savor the lively INTERACTIVE TOUR of the oldest section of the Tavern socialized. Guests enjoy relaxed shopping in FOUR UNIQUE SHOPS - The Tavern-Museum Shop, The Metal Smith Shop, The Clothier and The General Store each provide a one-of-a-kind experience. MORE >>
Monticello
- 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 984-9822 | Fax: (434) 977-7757
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
- Visit Website
No other home in the United States more accurately reflects the personality of its owner than Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's architectural masterpiece and beloved mountaintop home. Monticello is the only home in America recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site. Guided tours of the house are offered daily throughout the year; outdoor gardens and plantation tours are offered daily April-October. MORE >>
Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society
- 200 Second Street, NE
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 296-1492 | Fax: (434) 296-4576
Founded in 1940, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society seeks to study, preserve and promote the history of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia. The Society strives to ... MORE >>
Albemarle County Courthouse
- 501 East Jefferson Street
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 972-4083
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
The courthouse is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. There is no admission fee. Closed for state and federal holidays. Court Square buildings are visible from the street at all ... MORE >>
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
- 160 McCormick Road
- Charlottesville, VA 22904
- (434) 243-1776 | Fax: (434) 924-4968
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Special Collections administers over 12 million manuscripts, 2.5 million items in the University archives, and 300,000 rare books, as well as approximately 4,000 maps, over 4,000 broadsides; more than ... MORE >>
Ash Lawn-Highland, Home of President James Monroe
- 1000 James Monroe Parkway
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 293-9539 | Fax: (434) 293-8000
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Restored home of the 5th president of the United States and close friend of Thomas Jefferson. James Monroe's 550- acre estate recreates the atmosphere of a working farm, with strutting peacocks, ... MORE >>
Battle of Trevilians Historic Marker
- intersection of Louisa Rd and Trevilians Square
- Louisa, VA 23090
- (804) 367-2323 | Fax: (804) 367-2391
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
One of many historic markers that commemorate important historic people, places or events. Markers are located on the side of the road and are visible 24 hours a day.
BATTLE ... MORE >>
Birthplace of Meriweather Lewis Historic Marker
- Intersection of Ivy Road and Owensville Road
- Ivy, VA 22945
- (804) 367-2323 | Fax: (804) 367-2391
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
One of many Virginia Highway Markers that commemorate people, events or other historic resources within the Commonwealth. Visible from the road 24 hours a day.
BIRTHPLACE OF ... MORE >>
Buck Mountain Church
- 4133 Earlysville Rd
- Earlysville, VA 22936
- (434) 973-2054
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
This house of worship is a rare surviving example of the simple wooden Anglican parish churches scattered through Virginia in the colonial period. Erected to serve Frederick Parish, the ... MORE >>
Charlottesville Historic Downtown Mall
- Main St
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 295-9073
- Region: Downtown Mall Area
Charlottesville’s Dining, Entertainment & Shopping District!
A visit to Charlottesville isn't complete without a stop at the Downtown Mall. It is one of the most ... MORE >>
Christ Episcopal Church Glendower
- 900 Glendower Road
- Scottsville, VA 24590
- (434) 293-2347
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
No more charming example of the Jeffersonian idiom survives than this small but highly polished rural Episcopal Church erected in 1831-32 in southern Albemarle County.
The ... MORE >>
Clark's Birthplace Historic Marker
- Intersection of Stony Point Road and Richmond Road
- Charlottesville, VA 22911
- (804) 367-2323 | Fax: (804) 367-2391
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
One of many Virginia Highway Markers that commemorate people, events or other historic resources within the Commonwealth. Visible from the road 24 hours a day.
CLARK'S ... MORE >>
Confederate Memorial on Court Square
- 0 Court Square
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 296-1492 | Fax: (434) 296-4576
Charlottesville and Albemarle County were among the last communities in Virginia to erect a monument honoring Confederate soldiers from their area. The bronze statue, whose sculptor remains unknown, ... MORE >>
Corner
- University Avenue
- Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Region: University Area
Shops and eateries along University Avenue cater to the college crowd.
Court Square of Charlottesville
- 0 Court Square
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 296-1492 | Fax: (434) 296-4576
Buildings within the historic Court Square include 300 Court Square, which is the site of the Eagle Tavern, a simple wooden frame building which stood there in 1791. The brick replacement, which ... MORE >>
Cove Presbyterian Church
- 5531 Covesville Ln
- Covesville, VA 22931
- (434) 293-9065
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Cove Presbyterian Church is a pristine brick sanctuary located on Route 29 about 20 minutes by car from Charlottesville. The congregation was established in 1769. The first church was a log ... MORE >>
Crozet Library
- 5791 Three Notch'd Road
- Crozet, VA 22932-0430
- (434) 823-4050
- Region: Downtown Mall Area
The Crozet Library is open Monday and Tuesday from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Closed Sunday.
The town of Crozet, ... MORE >>
Edgar Allan Poe's Room
- McCormick Road
- UVA Campus
- West Range #13
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- Region: University Area
Author and poet's room restored to 1826 time period, when he was a student. Features a recording about his life.
Edgehill Plantation Historic Marker
- 12th St & Little High St
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (804) 367-2323 | Fax: (804) 367-2391
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
One of many Virginia Highway Markers that commemorate people, events or other historic resources within the Commonwealth. Visible from the road 24 hours a day.
EDGEHILL ... MORE >>
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
- 7599 Rockfish Gap Turnpk
- Greenwood, VA 22943
- (540) 456-6334
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Originally founded in the mid-19th century, Washington architect Waddy Wood was commissioned to remodel and enlarge the original one-room church. Wood's work at Emmanuel Church exhibits the ... MORE >>
Grace Episcopal Church
- 5607 Gordonsville Road
- Keswick, VA 22947
- (434) 293-3549
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
This fine specimen of the early, more picturesque interpretation of the Gothic Revival is the only known Virginia work of William Strickland, one of the nation's leading architects of the ... MORE >>
Hatton Ferry
- 10120 Hatton Ferry Road
- Scottsville, VA 24590
- (434) 296-1492 | Fax: (434) 296-4576
Come take a ride on the Hatton Ferry, a historic ferry across the James River and the only poled ferry still operating in the United States. The Hatton Ferry operates free of charge, although a ... MORE >>
Historical Highway Markers - Virginia Department of Historic Resources
- Richmond Road (U.S. 250) east of Exit 124 (Interstate 64)
- Richmond, VA 23221
- (804) 367-2323 | Fax: (804) 367-2391
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
One of many Virginia Highway Markers that commemorate people, events or other historic resources within the Commonwealth. Visible from the road 24 hours a day.
SHADWELL, ... MORE >>
Jack Jouett's Ride Historic Marker
- Intersection of East High Street and Park Street
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (804) 367-2323 | Fax: (804) 367-2391
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
This historic marker commemorates the site of the historic Cuckoo tavern. Open 24 hours a day.
JACK JOUETT’S RIDE
From the tavern that stood here, Jack Jouett rode to ... MORE >>
Jackson Park
- 501 East Jefferson Street
- Charlottesville, VA 22901
- (434) 970-3589
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Jackson Park consists of 0.4 acres and includes all of the property bordered by Jefferson Street, Fourth Street N.E., High Street and the Albemarle County Court Building. This property, once known ... MORE >>
