Contact: Leslie Greene Bowman
President
Thomas Jefferson Foundation
www.monticello.org
January 29, 2009
At this remarkable time in our nation's history, we invite you to join us on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, to celebrate both the enduring influence of Thomas Jefferson's ideals, and a landmark event in the history of Monticello: the grand opening of the Thomas Jefferson Visitor and Smith Education Center at Monticello in Albemarle County, Virginia.
At 11 am, Jefferson's lasting legacies will be the theme of an event on the West Lawn of Monticello that will feature remarks by 2008 National Book Award winner Annette Gordon-Reed, presidential historian Michael Beschloss, other notable speakers, and live music performances. At 1 pm, the new visitor center and its exciting interpretive features - four innovative exhibitions, a powerful introductory film, and a hands on activity space for children - will be opened to the public.
Additional details about the April 15 events will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please visit www.monticello.org/featured/new_vc.html ( http://monticello.pmailus.com/pmailweb/ct?d=HETmzQAOAAEAAAdSAAKGhw ) for information about the 21st century gateway to Monticello.
