Specialty Tours

In addition to our regularly scheduled historical tours, we also offer Specialty Tours by request, which focus on a specific aspect of UVA's extensive 200 year history. Our current offerings are History of African-Americans at UVA, History of Women at UVA, Garden Tours, and Children's Tours. Brief descriptions of these tours are provided below, and you may request a specialty tour using this form.

History of African-Americans at UVA: History of African-American tours run approximately an hour and grapple with our University's complicated racial legacies of slavery and discrimination. Topics covered will include slavery, integration, and even a discussion of the modern racial climate at UVA.

Memorial to Enslaved Laborers (MEL) tour: MEL tours discuss the history of enslaved laborers' resistance and resilience at the University and the advocacy by community members and students to fully acknowledge and memorialize their labor. MEL tours were designed by the Descendants of Enslaved Communities (DEC-UVA). If you would like to receive a MEL tour from a University Guide, use the specialty request form on our website. If you would like to receive a MEL tour from a Descendant, click here. For more information on the MEL, visit mel.virginia.edu.

History of Women at UVA: History of Women tours run approximately an hour and focus on the process of gradual integration of women at the University of Virginia. Tourists learn about the lives of the first women on Grounds in the 1820s and the gradual acceptance of women into the student community.

Garden Tours: Garden Tours run approximately forty-five minutes and give tourists an inside look into the Pavilion gardens at the University. The tours explore the role of the gardens during the early University and their transformation to the modern day spaces students enjoy today.

Children's Tours: Children's tours run approximately an hour and introduce various exciting stories about the University. Children will learn about the founder of the University, Thomas Jefferson, early life at the University, and the burning of the Rotunda in 1895. The content of these tours is geared toward young children from Pre-K to Fifth grade. Older student groups should request a traditional historical tour. For more resources for educators, see this Google folder.

Planning Your Tour:

1. Decide when to request a specialty tour. We seek to accommodate the time that is best for your group, but please know that UGS is composed entirely of student volunteers and thus has constraints on when we can accommodate requests. For more information on when you can request a tour, click here.

2. Fill out the request form here. Please note that your request has not been processed until you receive an email from our Scheduler. If you have not received a confirmation email within 48 hours, please contact the Scheduler.

3. Find out where you should park. We recommend Central Grounds Garage (fees will apply) at 400 Emmet Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903 for single family cars. For larger groups in buses, contact the Office of Admission at 434-982-3200.

4. Show up early to explore the beautiful spaces of Thomas Jefferson's Rotunda and the interactive elements in the Lower East Oval Room.

5. Enjoy your tour and ask questions! Our Guides undergo a comprehensive training semester to be able to speak eloquently about many parts of our University's history.