This tour is currently sold out.
The ICAA is pleased to partner with Classical Excursions to present this exclusive, five day tour of the private residences and architectural sites of Charlottesville, Virginia and surrounding Albemarle County. Participants will be granted access to the area's finest examples of classical architecture with a focus on private homes and historic houses. Specialists and experts will guide the tour, while homeowners will be on hand to welcome attendees and host private events.
To ensure the safety of our community, the ICAA is requiring that all participants of its travel programs receive the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot (aside from those eligible for a medical or religious accommodation).
This tour is arranged by Classical Excursions. Please note that a registration form and deposit must be submitted to Classical Excursions and a confirmation of receipt must be received from Classical Excursions in order to be considered registered for this program. Payment of the $500 donation to the ICAA prior to registration does not guarantee placement on the trip. To inquire about registration for this program, please contact Lani Summerville at [email protected] or 413-446-8728.
Please note a fully tax-deductible donation of $500 per person is required to participate in this travel program. All travel program participants have the opportunity to receive a complimentary Individual level membership for one year to the ICAA.
Shack Mountain
Attendees will visit Shack Mountain, an exquisite private home built as "a house of Jeffersonian character," by notable architect and architectural historian Fiske Kimball, founder of the University of Virginia School of Architecture, as his home. It is a magnificent example of a grand house on a small scale.
The University of Virginia
The University of Virginia remains Jefferson’s legacy for his life-long passion for learning. The tour will include a private visit of the rotunda, “a temple of learning,” the lawn, pavilions and gardens, all led by Calder Loth.
Monticello
Monticello will be the scene of a private curatorial tour as well as an exclusive opening dinner. Always the passionate architect, Jefferson spent nearly a life time constructing his Palladian pavilion or villa, certainly the most personalized of Virginia’s country estates. His stay in France as the American Minister included architectural travels that led to extensive embellishments upon his return.
Farmington
Since the 1920s, Farmington has been the site for a Charlottesville Country Club. Designed by Jefferson in 1802 for his friend George Divers, the architect added a tall Doric portico and an elongated octagon to a previously built Georgian-style house. Several smaller rooms and a hall designed by Jefferson ties the addition to earlier structures on the property. The tour group will stop at Farmington to view the building and have lunch in the Jefferson Room.
Castle Hill
Castle Hill has been the scene of frequent visits by US Presidents and historic figures, including Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Lee and Webster among others, since it was built in 1764 as a clapboard colonial residence. It was added to in 1824 with a brick extension, and again in 1844 with impressive columned conservatories.
Whilton Farm
Whilton Farm is a private home and garden located in the heart of Jefferson Country. Here, the group will enjoy a tour and lunch along with the owner.
Blue Ridge Farm
Blue Ridge Farm is the 1923-27 renovation of an earlier house, transformed into a gracious Georgian Revival country residence by a favorite architect of 20th Century Virginia houses, William Lawrence Bottomley and gifted landscape architect Charles F. Gillette. 21st Century authentic restoration work has been carefully carried out by Charlottesville architect Madison Spencer. Rusty Lilly, a Gillette Scholar, took charge of the magnificent gardens. The owners’ important and large collection of antiques tend toward late Georgian and Regency styles, befitting of the house itself. Here, tour attendees will enjoy a private reception.
Seven Oaks Farm and Septenary Winery
Here, participants will enjoy a private wine tasting at Septenary as well as a tour of the facility and vineyard.
Tiverton
Tiverton, located on a 450-acre parkland, is modeled after the White House and is where the owners have carried out a major restoration including incredible interiors. Here, the owners will welcome the group with a private visit.
Tivoli Farm
Here, participants will enjoy a private visit and lunch at this equestrian estate.
Montpelier
The group will experience a private tour of Montpelier, the Madison family's 18th Century home.
University Of Virginia (Pixabay)
Montpelier (Jennifer Glass Via Wikimedia Commons)
Castle Hill Formal Gardens (Jjj1917 Via Wikimedia Commons)
Castle Hill (Jjj1917 Via Wikimedia Commons)
Tivoli (Austin Mill)
If you would like to register, you may contact the travel operator organizing the program. Please note that a $500 donation per person to the ICAA is required in order to participate in each travel program.
Your $500 donation helps to further the ICAA’s goal of advancing the practice and appreciation of the classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts by supporting its varied educational programs, including continuing education courses, college workshops, the Summer Studio in Classical Architecture, New Heights, and many more.
Yes, a donation of $500 to the ICAA is required for each travel program you register for. The donation is required for each person attending a tour.
You can make your $500 donation to the ICAA online, or you can download, complete, and mail this form to the ICAA. You can alternatively fax a copy to 212-730-9649. You may also call 212-730-9646 x109 or email [email protected] to make a donation. Donations must be made separately from the registration fee.
No, membership is not required to attend an ICAA travel program. However, complimentary Individual membership to the ICAA is included with your $500 required donation.
For full itinerary and more information, contact [email protected], 860-926-4895. Due to the exclusive nature of our tours, some private locations or visits may be omitted from the ICAA's website.
Over the past several years, the ICAA has travelled to destinations including Paris; Andalusia; Atlanta; Barbados; South Africa; Chicago; the Netherlands and Belgium; Scotland; the French Riviera; Morocco; the Italian Lake Region; Charlottesville; Naples; and New Delhi, among many other locations. The ICAA is always looking to diversify its travel offerings. If you have a suggestion or location you would like to see added, please email [email protected].