Bringing back Thomas Jefferson’s historic home for the semiquincentennial
2026 marks the semiquincentennial, also known as the 250th anniversary of the United States. Across the country, Americans are looking to the places that reflect the events of 1776.
Monticello is one of them. The home of Thomas Jefferson sits on a mountaintop just outside Charlottesville, overlooking the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Jefferson spent decades revising it, so the house that stands today reflects a real view into how the Founding Father felt about personal space.
Preparing Monticello for the semiquincentennial meant more than a fresh coat of paint; the work had to protect American history. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation selected Piedmont Paint & Finish to handle the preservation and repainting, with strict guidelines around materials, methods, and process.
The job started with surface prep, all done by hand. Crews used carbide scrapers, sanding blocks, and detail tools to remove failing coatings while protecting the original substrate.
One of the most technical challenges was the historic terne metal roof. Previous attempts at restoration had changed its appearance, and removing the damage without harming the metal underneath required testing multiple chemical strippers.
The process moved slowly by necessity. Preservation staff closely monitored the work, and every repair or adjustment required coordination before crews could proceed. Modern production methods that might speed up a commercial repaint were largely off the table. Instead, the project depended on craftsmanship at its purest.
Because the grounds themselves are historically significant, crews couldn’t rely on mechanical lifts or large equipment to move around the site. Materials, ladders, and tools had to be carried and repositioned by hand while maintaining strict safety standards and minimizing disruption to the visitors walking the property each day.
Once the prep was complete, the team applied historically appropriate, high-performance coatings using brush application to match the original craftsmanship. Every step was coordinated with the foundation’s preservation staff, with close oversight to ensure the work aligned with historical standards.
For Piedmont Paint & Finish, the project also represented the culmination of a relationship that stretched back more than two decades. The company had previously completed preservation work across the property and at other historically significant structures in the area.
That experience helped the crew understand the balance between restoration work and historical stewardship. Preparing Monticello for the nation’s 250th anniversary carried a sense of responsibility that extended beyond coatings and craftsmanship. For the crew at Piedmont Paint & Finish, the job became a chance to leave their mark on a place already woven into American history.
“It is also worth emphasizing the pride our craftsmen took in the work,” company owner Charles Davis said. “Many members of our crew are local tradesmen who understand the significance of Monticello not only as a national landmark but as an important part of the Charlottesville community.”
