The plantation home of President James Monroe, 5 kilometres from Monticello off Route 795. The house is more modest than Jefferson's estate but the grounds are lovely and the site is rarely crowded. Guided tours cover both the family's history and the lives of the enslaved workers. Owned and operated by the College of William and Mary; timed tickets available online. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Ash Lawn-Highland
A story
James Monroe's plantation is a more intimate experience than Monticello, partly because Monroe was a less imposing figure and partly because the house is genuinely small — Monroe called it a 'cabin-castle' and was clearly making a joke. Jefferson reportedly helped plan the grounds and encouraged Monroe to buy land nearby so the two could be neighbours. The estate, now owned by the College of William and Mary, does particularly good work on the history of the enslaved families at the plantation and the archaeology that has revealed how they lived.