In this episode of "A Rich Spot of Earth" we talk about vining plants, self-sowing annuals, and trees that flower in the summer. We also tackle a less pleasant topic: weeds and what to do about them.

Featuring Michael Tricomi, Interim Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens; Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants; Debbie Donley, Flower Gardener; and, Robert Dowell, Senior Nursery Associate at the Center.

Members of Monticello’s enslaved community were constantly fighting for freedom. Learn more about how they were involved in the Underground Railroad and attempts at helping others reach freedom in the northern states.

Join us as we dive into a famous rivalry and a legendary expression of distrust, questioned honor, and violence from United States history.

Trained at the President's House in Washington, D.C., enslaved chef Edith Fossett cooked for Jefferson for over two decades and oversaw the creation of the food for which Monticello became famous. She and her husband, enslaved blacksmith Joseph Fossett, were born at Monticello, raised their own children there, and, after many years, were able to unite most of their family in freedom. Guides Kyle Chattleton and Alice Wagner tell their story.

The arrival of May this year at Monticello has brought mild weather and decent rain -- perfect conditions for growing plants. In this episode of A Rich Spot of Earth, we look at peonies and Jefferson’s unusual “fruits, roots, and leaves” 1812 planting plan before ranging into discussions about asparagus, sea kale, tomatoes, beetles, and blanching pots. Finally, we talk bird peppers and vegetable plantings at our Tufton production farm before wrapping up with a look at Russian vs. Italian bees.

Featuring Michael Tricomi, Interim Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens; Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants; Debbie Donley, Flower Gardener; Sydney MacCreery, Nursery Associate at the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants; and Anna Lobianco-Sims, Farm Assistant at Tufton Farm.

During the summer of 1805, a young man yearned for freedom. For today's episode of Mountaintop History, we focus on the story of James Hubbard and how he resisted slavery at Monticello.

Recently we welcomed journalist Martin Di Caro to our new digital studio to record an episode of The Washington Times' "History As It Happens” podcast. Joining him in conversation were Brandon Dillard, Monticello’s Director of Historic Interpretation and Audience Engagement, and Alan Taylor, a Pulitzer-winning author and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Chair of the Corcoran Department of History at the University of Virginia.

In this excerpt, Di Caro, Dillard, and Taylor discuss Jefferson's interest in religion and religious freedom. To listen to the full episode go to monticello.org/haih, which redirects to the "History As It Happens" website, where you can also find part 2 of their talk.

In this episode of our In the Course of Human Events podcast, we look at the fascinating story of Edward Coles and his effort to persuade one of America's founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, to free his slaves. Rebuffed by the former president, Coles acted on his beliefs, taking 19 enslaved men, women, and children with him from Virginia to freedom and self-sufficiency in Illinois. Former Monticello Teacher Institute participant Robbie Marsden shares Coles’s remarkable journey, which spanned nearly 50 years and featured a surprise encounter with another giant of American history. Joining him for the trip are Monticello’s Justin Bates and Melanie Holland.

For hundreds of years, large fossilized bones have been unearthed in Kentucky, just south of the Ohio River. Some of these bones eventually made it Monticello. Listen to learn how.

April is tulip month at Monticello! In this episode of A Rich Spot of Earth, we celebrate the return of our favorite tulips and share our bulb-planting practices and sources. We also look at what's going on in Monticello’s vegetable garden this month, talk about the benefits of Latin names, and highlight two flowering trees that grace our early spring in Virginia: Rebuds (Cercis canadensis) and Dogwood (Cornus florida).

Featuring Michael Tricomi, Interim Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens; Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants; Debbie Donley, Flower Gardener; and, Robert Dowell, Senior Nursery Associate at the Center.