James Monroe's Highland
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Location
Albemarle County, Virginia
Address
2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville
Historic association
James Monroe and the Highland community
Current steward
William & Mary
James Monroe's Highland is a historic site and museum in Albemarle County, Virginia, just outside Charlottesville, Virginia. James Monroe purchased the farm in 1793, and his family lived there from 1799 until 1823. Today, the site interprets Monroe's public life alongside the experiences of people who lived and worked on the property, including enslaved people. [1]
Plan time for the self-paced indoor exhibits as well as the grounds: Highland describes its general admission as including exhibits in the 1818 Guesthouse, the “A Window to a New America” exhibition, and outdoor spaces. The site also has a rustic trail system. Hours and admission details can change, so check Highland's official visitor information before setting out. [2][3]
Plan a trip to James Monroe's Highland
Why visit Highland?
Highland offers more than a look at a president's former home. Its exhibits bring together the Monroes' political and domestic lives, the labor that sustained the property, and the wider history of the early United States. The site's approach also reflects ongoing research: archaeological work showed that the familiar standing house was not the Monroes' main residence, but a guesthouse used during Monroe's presidency. [4]
The visit suits travelers interested in presidential history, historic-house interpretation, archaeology, and the histories of slavery and its legacies. Highland says that descendants of people enslaved at the property advise and collaborate with staff on public-history interpretation. [5]
Start here
Begin in the 1818 Guesthouse, where self-paced exhibits use rooms, objects, and interpretation to introduce Highland's overlapping stories. Then continue through the additional exhibition spaces and grounds, allowing time to notice how the site's buildings and landscape connect to its changing history. [6]
For a more active visit, consider adding a walk on the rustic trails. The route and terrain vary; check the site's trail information and operating details before choosing a hike. [7]
What to see and do
Explore the 1818 Guesthouse
Walk through the self-paced interior exhibits in a building once used to host visitors during Monroe's presidency. Displays connect the guesthouse, its furnishings, and the people who lived and labored at Highland.
Visit “A Window to a New America”
This exhibition expands the site's interpretation to include the histories of Highland's residents and the broader legacies of the plantation system.
Look for the archaeological story
Exhibits explain how architectural and archaeological evidence changed the understanding of Highland's buildings, including the role of the standing guesthouse.
Walk the grounds
Explore outdoor spaces across the historic property. Highland also maintains a rustic trail system; consult current trail and visitor information before walking.
Join a history program
Depending on the schedule, visitors may encounter outdoor history walks, indoor talks, or interpreters available for conversation. Check the official calendar and admission information for current offerings.
History and significance
Monroe purchased the farm, then called Highland, in 1793 and completed a house there in 1799. The Monroe family left in 1823, and the property was sold in 1826. Virginia's Department of Historic Resources notes that the principal Monroe-era residence was likely destroyed by fire sometime between the mid-1830s and early 1850s. [8]
The site's interpretation also addresses slavery as central to Highland's history. The museum presents the lives and labor of enslaved people alongside the stories of the Monroe family, visitors, and other residents. William & Mary reports that a Council of Descendant Advisors—people whose ancestors were enslaved at Highland—works with site staff and contributes to public-history interpretation. [9]
Highland became part of William & Mary in 1974. Archaeological research, including work that revised the interpretation of the standing house, continues to inform how the site presents its buildings and history. [10][11]
Planning a visit
Highland is at 2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. The official site lists general admission, indoor exhibits, outdoor spaces, and visitor programs; operating hours, ticket options, and scheduled activities may vary. Confirm current details directly with Highland before visiting. [12]
Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to explore the grounds or trails, and allow time beyond the indoor exhibits for outdoor exploration. For group visits or a guided experience, check the official tours and tickets page for availability and arrangements. [13]
Nearby attractions
Highland is close to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, and can be paired with other historic and cultural stops in the Charlottesville area. [14]
Monticello
Thomas Jefferson's home and historic estate, near Highland in the Charlottesville area.
Charlottesville
Explore the nearby city for dining, museums, and additional stops across the region.
James Madison's Montpelier
Visit another presidential home in Virginia's Piedmont, north of Charlottesville.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Ash Lawn-Highland, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Tickets, James Monroe's Highland, William & Mary. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ James Monroe’s Highland, William & Mary, William & Mary. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Ash Lawn-Highland, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ James Monroe’s Highland, William & Mary, William & Mary. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Explore the House and Grounds, James Monroe's Highland, William & Mary. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ James Monroe’s Highland, William & Mary, William & Mary. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Ash Lawn-Highland, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ James Monroe’s Highland, William & Mary, William & Mary. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Ash Lawn-Highland, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ James Monroe’s Highland, William & Mary, William & Mary. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Tickets, James Monroe's Highland, William & Mary. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Tickets, James Monroe's Highland, William & Mary. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ James Monroe's Highland, Visit Charlottesville, Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2026.