Morea was originally a 106-acre farm owned by John Patten Emmet. He was appointed by Thomas Jefferson the first Professor of Natural History at the University of Virginia. Morea includes Morea House and the Morea Arboretum. The house was built in 1835 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the oldest active residences on Grounds and is divided into two separate residences: Big Morea and Little Morea. Abbey Stockstill, Chair and Thomas Jefferson Foundation Associate Professor of Architectural History, serves as Principal of the IRC and moved into Morea House in July 2026.