Historic Preservation

Cover image of Thomas Jefferson's Escape Route brochure.

For more details on driving the Escape Route, email Albemarle Chapter, NSDAR, to receive a complimentary Travel Information guide.

Explore Thomas Jefferson’s Escape Route

While most of us are familiar with Jack Jouett’s harrowing ride from Louisa County to Monticello to warn Thomas Jefferson of a conversation he overheard that the British troops were on their way to capture him, many may not be aware of what transpired next. In 2024, six members of the Albemarle Chapter, NSDAR, created a brochure the general public could use to follow Thomas Jefferson’s escape route from the British in 1781.

The six chapter members spent several months researching the timeline of events after Jefferson was warned about the approaching British troops. They compiled notes on his escape from Monticello to his retreat home, Poplar Forest, in Lynchburg. A map was created based on Jefferson’s path using modern-day roads so people today could drive the route and learn about the Jefferson-era stops along the way and other historic locations. The brochure shares the history of the escape, an illustrated map, recommendations for one and two-day trips, and additional resources. A Starburst Grant from Virginia DAR helped with the printing. Brochures are available at Monticello, Poplar Forest, and Virginia Visitor’s Centers.

The Albemarle Chapter, NSDAR, and Monticello

Honoring Thomas Jefferson

On April 13 each year, the chapter participates in the wreath-laying ceremony at Thomas Jefferson’s grave at Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia. Monticello is the home and autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jefferson, where he designed and built his home and gardens for more than forty years. Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence, the third president of the United States, and the founder of the University of Virginia.

The Albemarle Chapter, NSDAR, has a longstanding relationship with Monticello dating back to October 12, 1892, when the chapter sponsored a Colonial Ball at Monticello and donated the proceeds to NSDAR for Memorial Continental Hall. In 1923, the chapter raised funds towards its purchase by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation. In 1964, the Albemarle Chapter, NSDAR, suggested to the foundation that the Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony be held at Monticello. We have participated every year since, except for 2020. Monticello was kind enough to host the chapter’s 125th Anniversary celebration in 2017 at Jefferson’s Library in Kenwood at Monticello.

Historical Markers

2022 Dedication

Albemarle Chapter, NSDAR, supports one of the missions of NSDAR, historic preservation, by placing historical markers in locations that honor patriots. In 2021, we restored a private cemetery in which Revolutionary War patriots are buried; then, in October 2022, we placed two bronze plaques in it to honor two patriots and their wives. They are Charles Goodman and his wives, Elizabeth Horsley and Sarah Talbott; his son, Horsley Goodman; and Horsley’s wife, Elizabeth Rodes.

2026 Dedication

On March 14, 2026, we dedicated an historic Pomeroy marker at Joplin’s Ford, in Albemarle County, to acknowledge the route taken by Thomas Jefferson and his family as they escaped the British in June of 1781. They traveled 90 miles along back roads between Monticello and Poplar Forest, Jefferson’s summer home to the west.

1924	Boulder placed at “Locust Hill,” birthplace of Meriwether Lewis
1924	Boulder placed at “Buena Vista,” birthplace of George Rogers Clark
1928	Marker placed on the grave of William Lewis, father of Meriwether Lewis, at “Cloverfields,” near Keswick
1930	Roadside marker placed at the entrance to Captain Joshua Fry’s home, the oldest house in Albemarle County (has since been destroyed)
1932	Contribution toward bronze tablet to be placed on the corner of the Nelson House in Yorktown
1932	Marker given for a black walnut tree sent from Monticello and planted in the National Forest (since destroyed)
1938	Tablet inscribed by the Albemarle Chapter, NSDAR, and placed in the wall above the front door at the restoration of the Albemarle County Courthouse
1939	“Jubilee” project: Marking of a Real Daughter’s grave and graves of two American Revolutionary War soldiers
1940	Marker placed on Real Daughter’s grave, Mrs. Elizabeth Clark Thompkins, Honorary Albemarle Chapter, NSDAR, member
1940	Marker placed on the grave of Robert Rives at Oakwood Cemetery, Nelson County
1941	Marker placed on the grave of Nicholas Lewis at Riverview Cemetery, Charlottesville
1942	Marker placed on the grave of John Walker, Revolutionary soldier at “Belvoir,” Cismont
1964	Replacement of marker at “Viewmont,” site of the home of Captain Joshua Fry
1967	Marker placed at “The Farm,” home of Colonel Nicholas Lewis, uncle of Meriwether Lewis
1971	Marker placed at Beckett’s Ridge between White Hall and Crozet, on the grave of Susannah Beckett, wife of American Revolutionary War soldier Humphrey Beckett.
1974	Relocation and re-dedication of stone marker at the grave of Nicholas Lewis, Riverview Cemetery, in cooperation with the local Bicentennial Commission
1981	Marker placed at the grave of Captain Benjamin Harris in the family cemetery, Albemarle County, at Junction of routes 6 and 717
2008	Marker placed at Brown’s Cove, home of the ten American Revolutionary War soldiers of the Brown family
2022	Markers placed at Burnley-Goodman Cemetery in Earlysville, Virginia, for Charles and Horsley Goodman, American Revolutionary War Patriots
2026	Marker placed at Joplin’s Ford, Albemarle County, dedicating The Jeffersons’ Escape Route from the British in 1781. Located at the intersection of Rt. 602 and Rt. 702, Rockfish Crossing and Howardsville Turnpike