Behind the Scenes: Monticello's 2nd and 3rd Floors

Join us for a glimpse into the upstairs world at Monticello, from the beautiful Dome Room to the cat doors to the attic spaces, where our staff will discuss the lives of the enslaved and free people who lived and labored in the bedrooms, hallways, and out-of-the-way corners most visitors never get to see.

[LittlePhizDorrit]

I've been to Monticello several times, but I've never been able to see the upstairs before. So glad to have found this video.

[marybeth]

My father was in the army for WWII reconstruction. He said he tried visiting monticello but it was closed at the time. He was fortunate that he was in uniform that day, and a kind person at Monticello let him come in and see what they were doing. The wall was dismantled and they showed the clock system that goes down through the floor. It was fascinating for my father who was a mechanical engineer. He was glad for the rest of his life to have had that experience.

[CoachSherri]

This is why YouTube is so important. If you’re unable to go to these places or see the details and hear the stories, you have a front row seat on this platform. I’ve been to Monticello but was never able to tour the home. The area around in Charlottesville, is Devine and beautiful to drive. I know the history there has its peaks and valleys but the beauty is undenied.

[leslietrivette]

Mr. Jefferson is a national treasure. A great Renaissance man. We owe him a huge debt. The story of Monticello is all about how his intellect formed our nation.
Thanks for the upstairs tour.

[charlenefalk]

I went to Jefferson home when I was 15 and now I am 70. I must say that I was very impressed with this house and the tour. Something everyone should see.

[marilynnorford]

I grew up in Charlottesville, not far from Monticello. In winter, when many trees were bare, I could see the dome of Monticello as I washed dishes in our kitchen. Mr. Jefferson and my proud Virginia upbringing contributed much to my love of history.

[lilwil-nsuo]

I visited Montecello some 35 years ago. It was so amazing. I have a friend whose wife was an expert on ancient plants for the museum. To keep everything as true to history as possible. I'm always so impressed with how Jefferson thought. He was a man ahead of his time in so many ways, and yet a man exactly of his time in others. A dichotomy.

[elizabethmayberry]

Monticello is such an unexpected jewel box of a house. It’s well worth the trip up the hill.

[jmfs]

Thank you for this video. I’ll never see the home again in person, but you’ve brought it alive again for me in memory.

[patriotmama]

Thomas Jefferson was such an interesting person. From an early age he learned to read and write several different languages. He never stopped leaning and his inventions and the experiments with his garden plants and trees around Monticello were amazing. I wish people would take the time to get to really know the man he was. He was definitely a man for his time. Monticello is a true national treasure.

[chrisallen]

I am very, very thankful the upstairs has been furnished and restored with such beauty and care. I always wanted to see the upstairs and remember practically begging to see it once as a teenager with my parents which was forbidden in the 1970s.

[Linda-wdo]

This tour was SO well done. I have been there three times and LOVED it every time! Thank you for showing us the second and third floors.

[janetleslie]

When you enter the house, the foyer is a small natural history museum, so to speak, with many artifacts gathered for Mr. Jefferson from far places. And then you look up, and there’s his portrait, those eyes looking right at you, and it takes your breath away. You are in his house, on floors he walked, seeing his furnishings and personal items. It’s a lot to take in.

[lisablack]

Who could give this a thumbs down. Appreciate all the work it takes to keep Monticello intact for next generations.

[susanpeterson]

I got to visit Monticello as a girl of 13, in 1965. Of course then we only got to see the ground floor and the gardens, but I was completely enchanted. And it was so lovely to find this video and get to see the second floor and the dome room for the first time. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

[jennienguyen]

The architecture. I love historical houses.

[fearlessvic]

Miss being at Monticello. Loved the 5 yrs I worked there.

[karenkelley]

What a great walk down memory lane. I was a former guide at Monticello. And, I LOVED giving tours of the upper rooms at Monticello. I felt as if you experienced a deeper connection to the Jefferson family that lived there. It's as if you could feel the presence of the family and enslaved people who occupied these spaces. It's nice to tour the quieter spaces away from the main floor and the large groups of visitors trooping through. Great job Carrie, Steve, Danna, Lou and Don showing us these private rooms. What a beautiful place. Great job!

[lisaharrington]

A beautiful home both inside and out. Loved seeing the back side of walls and doors. I don't foresee being able to visit this part of the country anytime soon and am very grateful to the craftsmen, historians, guides etc. who have taken the time to film this glimpse of Monticello and share it with all of us. Thank you!

[frankgordon]

Mt. Vernon is a great home to see too.