James Monroe Birthplace Park & Museum

James Monroe Birthplace Park & Museum
Obelisk at the James Monroe Family Home Site, October 2010
James Monroe Birthplace Park & Museum is located in Virginia
James Monroe Birthplace Park & Museum
James Monroe Birthplace Park & Museum is located in the United States
James Monroe Birthplace Park & Museum
Location4460 James Monroe Highway, Colonial Beach, Virginia
Coordinates38°14′31″N 76°59′27″W / 38.24194°N 76.99083°W / 38.24194; -76.99083
Area74.8 acres (30.3 ha)
Built1758 (1758)
Built byGrigg, Milton
Architectural styleBeaux Arts
NRHP reference No.79003095, 08000285 (Boundary Increase)[1]
VLR No.096-0046
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 24, 1979, April 10, 2008 (Boundary Increase)
Designated VLRDecember 21, 1976, December 5, 2007[2]

James Monroe Birthplace Park & Museum, also known as James Monroe's Birthplace, is a historic archaeological site located near Oak Grove and Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County, Virginia. The site includes the ruins and a restoration of the Monroe Family Home and birthplace of U.S. Founding Father and President James Monroe, which were uncovered in 1976 by a team from the College of William & Mary. Monroe spent his entire youth working the farm until he left for his education at William & Mary, following which he served in the Continental Army. The archaeological team uncovered a house foundation measuring 20 feet by 58 feet. The known 1845 etchings of the birth home indicate a small four room, rough cut wooden farm house with few outbuildings on a 500-acre farm filled with wetlands.[3]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, with a boundary increase in 2008.[1] Construction started in 2017 to restore Monroe’s home and to create a walking path that highlights James Monroe's accomplishments; construction was projected to take two years, but ultimately lasted until 2021.[4][5]

Museum

Opened on October 2, 2021, the museum features a visitor center and a restoration of Monroe's birthplace. It is currently open for tours from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  3. ^ "The James Monroe Memorial Foundation: James Monroe Birthplace". The James Monroe Memorial Foundation. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  4. ^ "James Monroe Birthplace at Colonial Beach". Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  5. ^ "Birthplace Park & Museum". monroefoundation.org. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "Birthplace Park & Museum". monroefoundation.org. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
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