The Thomas Jefferson Foundation is committed to providing superior customer service to all guests to Monticello. We offer a variety of services to ensure the best possible accessibility to the Monticello house, grounds and facilities in recognition of the diversity of our general public's abilities and needs. To arrange for assistance, call (434) 984-9800, or speak with a Monticello Visitor Services Specialist upon arrival.
- Learn more about resources available to ensure accessibility »
- For a site overview please consult our Map of Monticello for Visitors.
GUESTS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY The public areas of the house and much of the grounds are wheelchair accessible as are the buildings at the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center and Smith Education Center. A wheelchair ramp provides access to the interior of the Monticello house (only the first floor and lower-level dependencies are accessible by wheelchair). All entrances in the Visitor Center are wheelchair accessible. Elevators are available to each level of the Visitor Center. For most convenient access, drop off is available at the traffic circle next to the Visitor Center complex. Accessible shuttle buses are available from the Visitor Center to the house.
Guided tours of the Monticello house last approximately 30 minutes and include by short periods of movement and periods of standing for several minutes. Guests in wheelchairs can view most rooms open for touring on the first floor of the House. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Visitor Center Welcome Pavilion and at the house. Maneuvering into some rooms may be difficult or impossible depending on the size or model of the vehicle used. Motorized wheelchairs are permitted as long as they do not exceed the 30" dimensions of the interior doorways of the house. Guests with wheelchairs that exceed 30" will be provided with a smaller wheelchair at the house. Segways are not permitted inside the house.
Monticello is located on a mountaintop, so not all paths are wheelchair accessible. Our Map of Monticello for Visitors provides an overview of the site. Most paths around the mountaintop are either brick or crushed gravel. Wheelchair access to Mulberry Row, site of light industry and worker housing at Monticello, is possible via a crushed gravel path from the mountaintop shuttle stop. Access to the West Lawn may require assistance, depending on the wheelchair type and/or occupant strength.
Accessible restrooms, each with a water fountain outside it, are located on the Courtyard and lower levels of the Visitor Center. Two family restrooms are located on the courtyard level immediately adjacent to the theater. Accessible restrooms are available on the mountaintop under the North Wing of the House, however, some assistance may be required to reach the restrooms from certain areas of the grounds. We recommend using the restrooms before leaving the Visitor Center. To learn more about how we may assist, please call, call 434-984-9880 or email info@monticello.org.
Guests with limited mobility are advised to build extra time into their schedule.
DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING GUESTS Sign language interpretation can be scheduled for any program with at least two weeks advance notice by calling Guest Services at (434)984-9800 or e-mailing accessibility@monticello.org. iPads are available to accompany the guided tour with images and text.
BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED GUESTS Blind and partially sighted guests can experience a "touch tour" featuring objects and a greater level of visual description. These tours are available to individuals or groups by appointment. To schedule a touch tour, please contact Guest Services at (434) 984-9800 or e-mail accessibility@monticello.org.
Certified service dogs are allowed in the house only when utilized for assisted care. Please email info@monticello.org, call Guest Services at (434) 984-9800 or inform a Guest Service Specialist upon purchasing your ticket in the Welcome Pavilion.
ACCESSIBLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS Monticello's Education Department can adapt its curriculum based Extended Tours to address the accessibility, developmental or academic needs of all students. At least 72 hours is required in order to prepare for a group's arrival. Please discuss your groups need with the reservation manager when scheduling your visit. For information on making a reservation, call Guest Services at (434) 984-9800 or e-mail at reservations@monticello.org.