Ash Lawn - Highland is located adjacent to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in the beautiful Albemarle County of Virginia. James Monroe, his wife Elizabeth, and daughters Eliza and Maria lived in the home from 1799-1823. The Monroe's called the home "Highland" but the name "Ash Lawn was added when the house was sold to new owners who added many ash trees along the side of the road to the house. The original house has four rooms on the upper level (two bedrooms, parlor or office and a dining room with the kitchen underneath on a lower level. It has been found recently that there was another large room that is unaccounted for. When the second owners bought the house, they added additional rooms to the west with a second story which is just visible to the left of the original house and painted a gold color.
A docent gives us a 30 minute tour with lots of information regarding James Monroe. Monroe's greatest achievement was as a diplomat when he negotiated the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. He was elected President in 1816 and 1820 and died in 1831 exactly 5 years after Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. After the tour we are free to roam the grounds which include a lovely garden just outside the back door to the home, slave quarters/guest bedroom, various farm outbuildings and an enclosed garden with a statue of James Monroe.
Slave quarter/guest bedrooms
Leaving Ash Lawn - Highland we drive back toward the interstate and stop at Michie Tavern located on a hill in a lovely treed setting. The location includes the Tavern with a restaurant that serves an authentic 18th century meal in a rustic tavern setting. Michie Tavern served as the social center of the community in which it was located and accommodated travelers with food, drink and lodging. It is one of the oldest homesteads in Virginia and was originally located on a well-traveled stage coach route but in 1927 it was dismantled and moved to this location in hopes it would attract tourists visiting both Ash-Lawn and Monticello. John Michie purchased the original land from Patrick Henry's father and developed the land and in 1784 opened his home as a Tavern to the many travelers seeking food and shelter.
The self-guided tour takes us through each of the rooms (common lodge bedroom, tap room, kitchen, upstairs family bedroom and ballroom/community room) where many signs explained the use of the room and/or items in it. One of the most interesting signs is one that explains that there was a set price for meals and lodging but no discount if you had to sleep on the floor if all the beds in the common sleeping room were taken. Outside in the back is a separate kitchen which was used prior to the kitchen being added to the back of the tavern, an outhouse, a spring house, well house and smoke house. Off to one side of the property are several unique shops.
The old kitchen
We stop at a local restaurant called "Cook Out" for some lunch. Cook Out advertises that it cooks their food outdoor style. Whatever that is. Not bad and reasonable.
Rain, of course, is a part of our day off and on. Will it ever let up?
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