There is no shortage of presidential history when you live in Virginia. Many of the founding fathers homes are located in the state; some are just a short drive away from Locust Grove. Because of the ongoing pandemic, it’s best to purchase tickets ahead of time and check each website for changes in schedule. On this President’s Day, here are some local places to visit.

Montpelier  The presidential home of James Madison’s home, located right here in Orange County, is open for tours on the weekends.  In addition to the house, there is a museum and memorial to the enslaved community at Montpelier.  If you are a resident of Orange then you can explore the outdoor grounds, gardens, and trails for free!

Monticello  The home of Thomas Jefferson, you could spend an entire day at the property and still not see everything!  Located outside of Charlottesville, Monticello offers a variety of tours about the house, gardens, history of slavery, and grounds residents in the surrounding counties can obtain a discounted ticket.  

Highland  Right next door to Monticello you will find the residence of James Monroe.  You can tour Highland, walk around the grounds visiting replicas of the out buildings, or tackle nearby trails.  Research about the homes original construction is on-going and lots of interesting discoveries are being made.

Mt. Vernon  The home of George Washington, just south of D.C., Mt. Vernon offers a multitude of tour options.  They offer free admission on President’s Day and Washington’s birthday, but you have to act fast to snag on of the tickets.