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Three Friends, Three Presidents
Three of the first five Presidents of the United States made their homes in central Virginia. Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and James Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland are just outside Charlottesville. James Madison's Montpelier stands in neighboring Orange County. During Jefferson's Presidency, Madison served as Secretary of State while Monroe negotiated the Louisiana Purchase as Minister to France. Under Madison, Monroe served as Secretary of State and Secretary of War. Like their political lives, these men's social and personal lives were intertwined. Jefferson hoped to surround himself with his friends in central Virginia. Madison and Monroe were the core of Jefferson's "society to our taste."
James Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland:
A 535-acre estate, Ash Lawn-Highland was the Monroes' primary residence from 1799 until 1823. The original Monroe house features tours and exhibits on early nineteenth-century culture. Plantation life is explored through the original smokehouse and overseer's house, at the reconstructed slave quarters, and in the fields, where cattle and sheep graze and peacocks roam. Summer Music Festival.
James Madison's Montpelier:
Montpelier helped shape James Madison's character and his vision for the new republic. A visit to Montpelier is an unusual opportunity to learn about the father of the Constitution and to see historic preservation in action. Montpelier is the focus of major archaeological and architectural research. Visitors enjoy the 2700-acre estate and gardens, and a guided tour of the mansion.
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello:
Montecello, meaning "little mountain," was designed and built by Jefferson over a period of 40 years. One of our country's foremost architectural masterpieces, Monticello remains a testimony to its creator's ingenuity and diverse interests. The main house and gardens reflect the innovative character of their designer, while Mulberry Row offers insights into plantation industries and workers, both slave and free. |