The Monticello Society

"I cannot live without books."

These words were written by Thomas Jefferson in a correspondence to his friend John Adams on June 10, 1815.  The enrichment of books was so appreciated by Jefferson that he sent his cherished library to the nation's capital to create the Library of Congress.

The Jefferson College Foundation Monticello Society

Just as Jefferson's life would not have been fulfilled without books and knowledge, the ability of Jefferson College to provide knowledge to others would not be fulfilled without the generosity of donors to the Jefferson College Foundation.  The Foundation honors and publicly recognizes top donors whose generosity, qualities of leadership, and commitment allow it to fulfill its mission and provide Jefferson College and its students with the financial support it needs for quality programs, services, and facilities.  This elite list of donors is respectfully known as The Monticello Society.

The Monticello Society is comprised of individuals, corporations, and organizations whose significant lifetime contributions to the Foundation since its inception in 1991 include bequests, planned gifts, scholarships, in kind, cash, and the transfer of assets.  New members are added through careful review and selection of donors to the Foundation during each year and are recognized at a special reception held in their honor at which they are presented with the Jefferson Cup and become permanent members of the prestigious Jefferson College Monticello Society.

Members of the Monticello Society belong to one of three categories based on their lifetime giving, as follows:

• Legacy Circle ($100,000+)
• Patron Circle ($50,000-$99,999)
• Benefactor Circle ($20,000-$49,999)

The Jefferson Cup

Jefferson's friend and teacher, George Wythe, had willed two large drinking beakers to Thomas Jefferson.  Jefferson decided to have them, along with two of his own mugs, melted into eight drinking cups of his own design.  He sent them to a Richmond, Virginia silversmith by the name of John Letelier, along with the request that the cups be exactly fashioned to his description.  The cups arrived at Monticello in 1810 and were used for the rest of Jefferson's life as part of his regular dining setting.  Typically the cups were filled with beer and cider at dinner and afterwards used as tumblers for wine.  Upon Jefferson's death in 1826, his wife gave one to each of their six children and one to a grandson.  Six cups have survived, four of which remain at Monticello.  A classic design, rich in American history.

Monticello Society Members

Benefactor Circle ($20,000-$49,999)