About

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 Museum Collections staff. No advance registration necessary.

Upcoming 2025 Talks
February 14: Revolving Top Table made by John Hemmings
Emilie Johnson, Curator of Arts and History
Join Emilie Johnson as she highlights the significance of an extraordinary piece from our collection—the revolving top writing table crafted by enslaved master joiner John Hemmings. Used by Thomas Jefferson when he was staying at Poplar Forest, curators recently discovered clues about how it was made. Don’t miss the first public discussion of these new discoveries!

March 21: Martha Jefferson Randolph's Bonnet and Other Textiles
Tabitha Corradi, Director of Collections, and Malia Sbach, Associate Registrar
Offered at 11am and 1pm
Ever look at a carriage and think, “that would make a great hat”? People have been finding inspiration in unusual places for ways to protect their towering hairstyles for centuries and the women of Monticello were no exception. Join Tabitha Corradi and Malia Sbach for a look at a rarely exhibited but expertly crafted "calash," a type of bonnet inspired by carriages, once worn by Martha Jefferson Randolph.

April 18: Sea Kale Pots and Seeds
Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants
Thomas Jefferson recorded over 330 vegetables and herbs cultivated in the Monticello vegetable garden. Seed was saved and stored in little glass containers, which according to one visitor were “labeled and in the neatest order.” Sea kale, a perennial member of the cabbage family, was blanched with "earthen" pots ordered from a pottery near Richmond, Virginia. Join Peggy Cornett for a look at glass seed vials and sea kale pots in the Monticello collection that represent the vast cultivation undertaken in the vegetable garden.

May 16: Jefferson's Books
Endrina Tay, Fiske and Marie Kimball Librarian
Thomas Jefferson famously wrote, “I cannot live without books.” He owned some 10,000 books in his lifetime on a wide range of topics. Join Endrina Tay as we discuss how Jefferson organized and transported his treasured books in his library at Monticello.

June 20: Writing the Declaration
Emilie Johnson, Curator of Arts and History
While we celebrate the Declaration of Independence on July 4, the work of developing this world-changing document took place during the month of June. Emilie Johnson will explore the drafting phase of the Declaration of Independence, noting Thomas Jefferson’s inspirations and the process of editing and approving the document.

July 18: Jefferson's Phaeton Seat
Emilie Johnson, Curator of Arts and History
Taking a road trip this summer? Surely your vehicle has better climate control, gas mileage, suspension, and cupholders than Thomas Jefferson’s 1802 single-horse phaeton! Emilie Johnson will discuss this remarkable surviving example of one of Jefferson’s carriages in celebration of summer travels on the road.