06-09 Ash Lawn-Highland

From 06-09 Ashlawn-Highland

Our time in Virginia seems to have been the tour of Presidential homes. Friday we drove over to James Monroe’s home, Ash Lawn-Highland. Monroe lived about 2 miles from his good friend Thomas Jefferson and about 25 miles from James Madison another good friend. His family lived at Highland from 1799-1823. Later owners changed the name of the plantation to Ash Lawn because of the Ash trees that lined the driveway.

Monroe was not nearly as wealthy as Jefferson and Madison so his home was not as grand, but it was still lovely. Unlike the other homes we have toured, Ash Lawn-Highland has not been restored to the way it looked in Monroe’s time. Instead it still has the additions and changes made by other owners. In the photo below, the white portion dates to Monroe’s time, and the yellow is a subsequent addition.

From 06-09 Ashlawn-Highland

It is set up to display life in the 19th century. It is furnished with beautiful period antiques. Many are from the Monroe family, but others are from the succeeding owners or were added to represent similar furnishings to the Monroe’s. Again we could not take interior shots.

There are several slave dwellings and the overseer’s house in the back of the house.

From 06-09 Ashlawn-Highland

There was a small formal garden in the rear. It was aligned so that at one time you could look down the distant walk way and see the dome of Monticello. Trees block the view now.

From 06-09 Ashlawn-Highland

There were pretty lilies in bloom.

From 06-09 Ashlawn-Highland

From 06-09 Ashlawn-Highland

There was a boxwood garden with a statue of Monroe in one alcove. (See picture at the beginning of this post)

From 06-09 Ashlawn-Highland

The Monroe’s had a vegetable garden but only about 1/5 the size of the one at Monticello.

From 06-09 Ashlawn-Highland

This tree dates from Monroe’s time.

From 06-09 Ashlawn-Highland

The views across the pastures were lovely,

From 06-09 Ashlawn-Highland

and along the entrance drive.

From 06-09 Ashlawn-Highland

We enjoyed our time at Ashj Lawn-Highland. It is well worth a stop when you are visiting nearby Monticello. Allow 1 1/2 to 2 hours for your visit. The house tour lasts about 45 minutes.