Monticello, the historic home of Thomas Jefferson, is famous for its architecture and endless gardens. Jefferson was a passionate gardener and plant enthusiast, and he introduced a variety of fruits and vegetables to Monticello. Among these, figs held a special place in his heart.
Jefferson’s fig fascination is well-documented in his letters. He experimented with different fig varieties to find the ones that could thrive in Virginia’s climate, such as the Brown Turkey Fig and the Marseilles Fig, which became a star in Monticello’s gardens.
Today, Monticello keeps the tradition alive with beautifully maintained gardens. Monticello’s figs aren’t just a nod to Jefferson’s green thumb; they’re a chance for visitors to savor history. These figs are a living connection to the past, allowing us to appreciate the flavors that graced the tables in Jefferson’s time.
And, while we all can appreciate a good fig story, there’s much more to this one. We should mention that Jefferson relied on the abhorrent and exploitative practice of enslaved labor to maintain and operate his plantation. Enslaved people were forced to work in all areas of the plantation. They cultivated the orchards of fruit trees as well as the aforementioned figs.
A visit to Monticello today shows a sincere effort to acknowledge the history of enslaved people on the estate. Check out the Mulberry Row project which recreates and interprets the lives of those who lived and worked on the plantation. Recognizing the contributions of enslaved people is essential in understanding the history of Monticello and the addition of figs to Virginia agriculture.