Montalto is the “high mountain” adjacent to and overlooking Monticello. On March 24, 1771, Thomas Jeferson recorded in his Memorandum Book that he was to receive from Edward Carter “as much of his nearest mountain as can be seen from mine, and 100 yards beyond the line of sight.” The 483 acres of the High Mountain that he was eager to acquire adjoins Monticello to the south-southwest and, at an elevation of 1280 feet, towers above it by 410 feet. Jefferson Italianized the local name, as he did with his own “little mountain,” and called it “Montalto” (William Beiswanger).
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation acquired Montalto in 2004 and engaged Matthews Development to assess the possible uses for the existing 25,000 sf of structures, gaining entitlements through a rezoning of the mountain into the Monticello Historic District, and managing the design and restoration of the early 1900’s Repose House. Montalto is a spectacular location with magnificent 360 degree views of Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west, Monticello, and the Virginia Piedmont to the east. A portion of the property was placed in a conservation easement to permanently protect this singular property.
