Welcome to the home of digital collections and exhibits for the Jefferson Library, part of the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello.

The Library supports the preservation and education work of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. It also functions as the repository the history of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which has owned and maintained Monticello since 1923.

Enlighten the People

Celebrating 30 Years of the International Center for Jefferson Studies

In 2024, we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies (ICJS). This online exhibit celebrates the work of ICJS as we strive to, as Thomas Jefferson once said, "enlighten the people generally."

Explore our exhibit celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Jefferson Library. You can also view older exhibits at the Jefferson Library homepage.

Two Decades of Scholarship and Community

In 2022, the Jefferson Library at Monticello celebrates its 20th anniversary. From its beginnings as just an idea for a “scholarly campus” to the busy center of discovery and connection it has become, the library has experienced great growth and change over the last two decades. In this exhibit we tell the story of the library so far through the lenses of place, people and community, collections, and contribution.

Celebrating a Century

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation was established in 1923. This exhibit explores the work of the Foundation over the last century, even as we look ahead to the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence in 2026 and to the next 100 years of bringing history forward into national and global dialogues.