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Tour Presidents’ Homes Near Charlottesville

By Nancy S. Tardy

Looking for a fairly inexpensive vacation with something to interest every member of the family? Historic downtown Charlottesville, Virginia, has undergone a rebirth and is a center for antique and unique gift and clothing shopping, galleries, dining and entertainment. Pick up brochures and obtain local information at the Downtown Visitor’s Center at 108 2nd St. SE.

Numerous U.S. Presidents have been born in, made their home in, or been buried in Virginia-many within an hour’s drive of Charlottesville. A President’s Pass ($25 for adults) is available for touring three of these main attractions; Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, Ashlawn-Highland, the home of James Monroe, and the Michie Tavern, an original inn and outbuildings historic site dating from the late 1700s. (Monticello also has a Visitors Center located at I-64 at Rt. 20 S.)

Monticello, Jefferson’s mountain-top home, was designed by him to incorporate classical architecture and the latest of his inventions. In addition to the guided tours of the house and gardens, an award-winning film about his life is available and free as is the exhibit of artifacts and drawings at the Monticello Visitors Center. No visit to Charlottesville is complete without a visit to Monticello, even if you just enjoy a picnic on its gracious grounds.

Ashlawn-Highland, located at 1000 James Monroe Parkway (I-64 at Exit 121, only 2 ½ miles from Monticello) recreates a working plantation of the 1800s, and its Garden Pavilion is a site for many weddings and parties. Children love seeing its peacocks and grazing cattle, visiting the flocks of sheep, and watching the demonstrations of farm crafts.

Statue of President James Monroe in the garden at Ashlawn-Highland

A third nearby famous site is Montpelier, home of President James Madison, which is located about 28 miles north of Charlottesville on Rt. 20 near Orange, VA. Noted for their style and taste, James and Dolley Madison entertained international figures at this home, which is currently being restored to its size and grandeur of the early 1800s.

Montpelier under renovation in Summer, 2004

A hiking trail in the James Madison Landmark Forest, an excellent example of SE United States old-growth forest, has 10-45 minute walks for those so inclined. Also, the Montpelier map guides you to its cemeteries and archeological dig sites.

Madison enjoyed her tour of James Madison’s gardens at Montpelier.

Another former U.S. President, Zachary Taylor, has his roots in Orange County, VA. Although the exact site is in dispute, the Montebello Estate, 5 miles west of Gordonsville on Highway 33, has a marker indicating his birthplace.

Other nearby presidential sites include the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library at His Birthplace, located approximately an hour west on I-64 in Staunton, VA ,and John Tyler’s Sherwood Forest Plantation near Charles City, VA, near Richmond. (Charles City is also the birthplace of William Henry Harrison.) Iit is only a 90 minute drive to Mount Vernon, the gravesite and home of our first president, George Washington.

Use Charlottesville as your base, and you can enjoy the variety of experiences it has to offer while you are learning American history. Try booking a motel room in or around Charlottesville ...a variety of chain motels, such as Days Inn, Econo Lodge, Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn and Holiday Inn, offer rooms for $60 to $100/night; some including pool and complimentary breakfast. Check out their websites or call the 1-800 numbers to inquire about specifics. Other helpful websites include these:

www.charlottesvilletourism.org

www.monticello.org

www.avenue.org/ashlawn

www.montpelier.org

www.woodrowwilson.org

www.sherwoodforest.org

www.orangevirginia.org

www.mountvernon.org

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