Visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, and the University of Virginia, both of which are a single UNESCO World Heritage site. Jefferson was the third president of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence and the founder of the University of Virginia.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors tour Monticello each year and learn about Jefferson’s legacy and complicated history. Nearby you will also find James Monroe's Highland, the residence of the fifth U.S. president and Montpelier, the home of James Madison, the fourth U.S. president and father of the Constitution.
Long before Thomas Jefferson stepped foot in the region, many Native Americans lived here and still live in Virginia today. The Piedmont Siouans, Catawbas, Shawnee, Delaware, Cherokees, Susquehannocks and several tribes of the Iroquois confederacy inhabited Central Virginia and the nearby Shenandoah Valley.
Explore African American historic sites to learn more about the stories of the community’s past. Head to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center to delve into the legacy of African Americans in the region, view the modern art gallery and engage in live events.
The region is also home to Michie Tavern, a colonial-era tavern, dozens of historical sites, walking tours and other ways to immerse yourself in the past.
The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia is the only museum in the United States dedicated to the exhibition and study of Indigenous Australian art.
Find museums and historical experiences using the filters and listings below. For seasonal events and programs, check out our history events calendar!