Virtual History:
Ashlawn-Highland

The Home of James Monroe

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Ashlawn Highland: The Home of James Monroe

Always dear friends with Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe built his Highland estate (now known as Ashlawn) on a hill within view of Monticello. Jefferson actually picked out the site for Monroe himself, and Monroe worked hard to develop the property over the years. The Monroe family called Highland home from 1789 til 1823.

Note in the picture above the architectural style of the main house. The pediment is supported by two doric columns. The design is very symmetrical, with windows on each side of the entranceway and a chimney squarely centered in the middle of the roof. Additions to the origianl house can be seen on the left-hand side of the picture.

The south view of the house reveals two levels with additional doric columns and a sloping roof. The symmetry remains balanced on both floors of this view. The later addition can be seen attached on the far right hand side of the porch.

The smokehouse, the statue of Monroe, and the overseer's house are additional sites found on the Ashlawn plantation. How are these buildings similar to the architecture of the main house? How are they different?