Why can't anyone film inside President Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello?

Question

Just watched a CSPAN special of past presidents homes, Madison, Monroe, Jefferson etc. but Jefferson's home, Montecello, was the only one nobody is allowed to take pictures or film anything in. The show didn't say why. Does anyone know?

OK, at east on the day of that show (tour).

OK, at least on the day of that show (tour).

Answer 1

That's odd because I went to the Monticello website and it says this:

Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc. (TJF or the Foundation), which owns and operates Monticello, wishes to extend every consideration to those wishing to film, tape, or photograph Monticello and its grounds. The Foundation reserves the right to reject requests that, in the Foundation's opinion, are not compatible with its mission, would interfere with the visitor's experience, or put undue burden on Foundation property or staff. Preference is given to documentary, news, and educational projects.

To limit demands on the house and grounds, Monticello prefers to provide photography and footage whenever possible. So that on-site filming and photography activities will neither interfere with normal operations nor compromise the safety of the building, the museum's collections, and the grounds, production companies and photographers must adhere to the following guidelines:

See the website if you want to read the rest:

http://www.monticello.org/press/filming.html

Answer 2

I was at Monticello a few years back; they simply asked that no pictures be taken due to insurance purposes. There are (among other things) some famous works of art in the home that I'm sure they don't want to entice would-be thieves, as well as many other artifacts of Jefferson's life.

Answer 3

S. I went there a few years ago, and down the street is Mitchie's Tavern - first place I ever had a Sam Adams beer. The grounds were being dug up looking for seeds that TJ may have planted from hybrids he was creating. His house was full of inventive devices that he created (french doors with a pulley system, so both doors moved together).

Answer 4

Usually, photography is prohibited inside historic homes for preservation reasons. Exposure to photograhy lights and flashes has a detrimental effect on textiles, paper, etc. It causes fading and deteterioration. Permits are used to minimize photography but still allow for special uses such as educational films, etc.

Answer 5

To show resprct for a dead president, you're also asked to not take photos of Lincoln's tomb in Springfield, IL

Answer 6

You can, you just need a special permit, which is probably really expensive.