Historic Charlottesville, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was the home of Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. The University of Virginia, founded and designed by Thomas Jefferson and first governed by a board whose membership included Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and James Madison, is located here.

Born near Charlottesville, were Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, whom Thomas Jefferson set on an expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase. Frontiersman George Rogers Clark, William Clark's brother, known for his exploration in the Northwest Territories, was also born near Charlottesville.