James Monroe's Highland

06/18/2026

⭐️Tomorrow, Juneteenth (sometimes Emancipation Day or Jubilee Day) commemorates June 19th, 1865, the day that the Emancipation Proclamation was enforced in Galveston, Texas. "Juneteenth," a portmanteau of "June" and "nineteenth," symbolically marks the end of slavery in the United States.

⭐️ In honor of the federal holiday, visitors to Highland receive $10 admission, and kids (and adults) of all ages can learn about the history of this important day and the impact it had communities like Highland's with a special Juneteenth Finder's Challenge.

Image: Emancipation Day parade in Richmond Va, c. 1905. Source collection: Detroit Publishing Company photograph collection (Library of Congress)

06/16/2026

Visitors have TWO chances to meet James Monroe this week! On Wednesday, June 17th and Thursday, June 18, stop in at Highland for a visit with the colonel and a new perspective on American history. In addition to entertaining visitors in his home, Monroe invites you to join him for special topics discussions on current events (well, *his* current events) at 11am and 2pm on those days. You can find him under the maple tree near the Colonial revival garden-- ask our excellent shop staff for directions!

Every visit with James Monroe is unique! If you miss him this time around, Colonel Monroe will be back with us on July 2nd. No promises, but we think there's probably some interesting stuff happening that weekend 🎆🎇

06/10/2026

Highland has the great privilege this Thursday, June 11th to welcome Christina Shutt, Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Ms. Shutt is a recognized leader in libraries and museums and is frequently sought after for her expertise in libraries, curation, museum management, and accreditation. Throughout her career, she has championed efforts to make libraries, archives, and museums more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible, believing that the heart of these institutions must represent the communities they serve. She is the co-author of the recent book, Lincoln: The Life and Legacy that Defined a Nation in 100 Objects.

Ms. Shutt joins us in conversation about the process of doing history, sharing insights on key objects from pivotal moments in Lincoln's life and what they reveal about the man, and both the nation and the lives, in the millions, that he would shape.

Get a taste of her remarkable work and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum remarkable collection at 6:30pm on June 11th, or start the conversation early at a free pre-event reception at 5:30pm! Both reception and event will be held in the lower lever of Highland's event barn, with books available for purchase and signing by the author directly following the program. Register here: https://highland.org/event/why-is-doing-history-important-a-conversation-with-christina-shutt/

- American Revolution 250 Commission

06/04/2026

How do a simple wooden bench, a toy cannon, a scrap of fabric, a child's dress, open a window into Lincoln's life--and Lincoln's America?

What stories can physical objects help us tell about the past? And how can those stories help us better connect with our fellow citizens? Highland invites you to engage with these and other questions in our upcoming 250 book event on June 11th from 6:30-7:30pm! We are very pleased to welcome in conversation Christina Shutt, Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, as she discusses her book, Lincoln: The Life and Legacy That Defined a Nation in 100 Objects. Discover how Lincoln's story--and America's story-- come into focus through the everyday, the unique, and the sometimes unexpected objects from his lifetime.

All attendees are invited to a reception with the author at 5:30 prior to the program. Both the reception and the program are free and open to the public. Register today: https://highland.org/event/why-is-doing-history-important-a-conversation-with-christina-shutt/

06/03/2026

If you're on the fence about when to come to Highland this month, might we recommend timing your visit with the president's? The fifth president, that is!

Starting this summer, visitors on select days of the month will have the chance to meet James Monroe, portrayed by the inimitable Beau Robbins. Colonel Monroe at Highland between 9:30am and 4:30pm on these days, ready to answer your burning historical questions and give you a firsthand look into his life, times, and world. His political life frequently keeps him away from Charlottesville, so catch him when he's in town! This month, Col. Monroe will be home on June 4th (tomorrow!), June 17th, and June 18th.

Keep an eye on our socials for his monthly schedule, or check the sign in our museum shop ✌

06/01/2026

It's almost here! Join Highland's Council of Descendant Advisors (.descendants this Saturday, June 6th, for the fifth annual Descendants Day! Come experience powerful conversations, incomparable food, and a joyous celebration of community, family, and resilience centered around this year's theme: "A Look at the Resiliency of Our Ancestors: Exploring the Meaning for Us and for Future Generations." Attendance is free, and all are welcome.
Register today: https://highland.org/event/2026-descendants-day/

05/30/2026

What stories can physical objects help us tell about the past? And how can those stories help us better connect with our fellow citizens? Highland invites you to engage with these and other questions in our upcoming 250 book event on June 11th from 6:30-7:30pm! We are very pleased to welcome in conversation Christina Shutt, Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, as she discusses her book, Lincoln: The Life and Legacy That Defined a Nation in 100 Objects. Discover how Lincoln's story--and America's story-- come into focus through the everyday, the unique, and the sometimes unexpected objects from his lifetime.

All attendees are invited to a reception with the author at 5:30 prior to the program. Both the reception and the program are free and open to the public. Register today: https://highland.org/event/why-is-doing-history-important-a-conversation-with-christina-shutt/

05/27/2026

Join us at James Monroe’s Highland on Saturday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for Descendants Day. Hosted by the Highland Council of Descendant Advisors, this special day welcomes everyone to gather for music, food, conversation, and reflection as we honor and share the stories of Highland’s descendant community. Learn, connect, and experience history through inclusive storytelling and community engagement. Learn more and register at https://highland.org/event/2026-descendants-day/.

05/23/2026

Spend your Memorial Day at James Monroe’s Highland! On Monday, May 25, general admission tickets are just $10 per person (kids 6 and under are free). Take advantage of the holiday and explore history, beautiful grounds, and more with family and friends! Make your reservation at https://highland.org/tickets

05/21/2026

In your town for one night only! As president, James Monroe took three tours of the country: the Northern states in 1817, the Chesapeake Bay region in 1818, and the Southern states in 1819. From March to August of 1819, Monroe made his way down the coast from Virginia to North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, then inland to Alabama up through Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky, and back to Virginia, visiting municipal centers, giving public addresses, and attending public dinners to much pomp and circumstance. This journey was no small feat for the 61 year old president, who travelled largely on horseback during these tours and was was rarely in the same city for more than a few days!

In our era of instant photography and video, it's hard to properly imagine the excitement felt by Americans in Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana, or Kentucky at the opportunity of seeing an American president in person:, when many people could go their whole lives without seeing even the *likeness* of the person at the reins of the nation.

To say he was a big hit was an understatement. (Eat your heart out Taylor Swift 💅💖✨)