Presidential Road Trips: Historic Sites You Can Visit

Besides being U.S. presidents, what do George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson all have in common? They all came from Virginia! Virginia is sometimes called the Mother of Presidents because it produced more than any other state. Presidents’ Day is a wonderful time to visit historical sites with connections to our country’s leaders. Here’s how to learn more about them and their time in the Staunton area as well as how they helped found and safeguard our democracy.

Woodrow Wilson

The first stop on your presidential itinerary should be Staunton’s Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. Wilson, born in Staunton on December 28, 1856, only lived here for a year. Still, the museum offers a comprehensive examination of the life and times of our 28th president. Important issues during Wilson’s time included World War I, the League of Nations, as well as a number of progressive reforms. Exhibits also examine Staunton history, prohibition, suffrage, the lives of enslaved persons who lived in the manse, as well as Wilson’s own complex position on race relations. Explore gallery spaces in the Presbyterian manse where Wilson was born, and which display artifacts from his life and presidency. Examine materials in the research library, explore the surrounding gardens, photograph Wilson’s Pierce Arrow, and visit the gift shop for a meaningful souvenir.

Check the calendar for a wide variety of educational programs and events, including a speaker series on Painting En Plein Air in the Shenandoah Valley.

Staunton’s American Hotel

While Staunton is packed with historic architecture, President Ulysses S. Grant stopped overnight at Staunton’s elegant American Hotel on a trip to White Sulphur Springs in 1874. Grant bowed and raised his hat from his balcony as Stonewall Jackson’s former band played for him. This public demonstration earned praise as an early post-Civil War act of reconciliation. While you’re in the area, take some selfies at the historic train station!

Thomas Jefferson

Charlottesville’s Monticello was Thomas Jefferson’s home and masterpiece. America’s third president designed the house, combining new and innovative ideas with elements of neoclassical architecture. Visitors can explore the gardens and grounds to learn about Jefferson’s scientific pursuits and appreciation for nature. Visitors should also take a guided tour of the house, including public and reception areas as well as more intimate spaces like Jefferson’s bedroom and study. Exhibits at Monticello teach visitors about Jefferson’s life and contributions to American democracy in addition to tackling more difficult subjects like the lives of enslaved people at Monticello. Monticello celebrates Presidents’ Day with special programs on drafting the Declaration of Independence, Black History Month, and more.

Don’t skip a visit to the nearby University of Virginia, conceived by Jefferson to “cultivate an environment in which students and faculty could live and learn from one another.” The academic village borders a central Lawn, headed by the domed Rotunda.

Lynchburg’s 4,800-acre Poplar Forest is Jefferson’s second home where went to escape the public eye. Poplar Forest is named after the tulip poplar trees growing on the property, and the house boasts a unique octagonal layout and many innovative features.

Jefferson also drew on his knowledge of classical architecture when he helped design the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond.

James Monroe

James Monroe, a Founding Father and the fifth President of the United States, lived near Charlottesville at Ash Lawn-Highland for a quarter century. Visitors can connect to the past with tours of the Federal-style house and formal gardens. The plantation also hosts exhibits to give insight into Monroe’s presidency and role in American history. Educational programs and events include book clubs, horticulture lectures, historical conversations, ornithology talks, and more.

James Madison

Before becoming our fourth president, James Madison helped write and promote the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He was a close advisor to Washington and Jefferson. He lived at Orange County’s Montpelier for 76 years. Visitors can learn about the neoclassical house and formal grounds, his political philosophy, and his role in shaping the nation’s early years. Visitors can also explore archeological sites, and walking paths through the virgin “Old-Growth Forest.” This pristine ecosystem has been preserved in its original state for hundreds of years and reminds us of our natural heritage.

Once called The State Normal and Industrial School for Women, Harrisonburg’s James Madison University was renamed to honor our 4th president and his impact on the world.

George Washington

George Washington lived, worked, and hosted important visitors at D.C.’s Mount Vernon for over 40 years. He died here in 1799. A visit to Mount Vernon’s house and grounds offers a view of 18th century lifestyles and social customs. The house is built in a symmetrical Georgian style, and Washington expanded and renovated it during his time there. You can also explore the house and grounds virtually.

Additional sites related to our nation’s first president are the George Washington Office Museum, Washington’s single-room office in Winchester. He worked here in 1755 and 1756 and oversaw the construction of Ft. Loudon. Nearby Fort Valley, the “valley within a valley” where Washington planned to shelter the Continental Army if they had been defeated during the Revolutionary War.

Lexington’s Washington & Lee University was named, in part, for Washington’s generous endowment.

Other Important Historical Sites

• In his youthful surveyor days, George Washington carved his initials into the rock at Natural Bridge State Park. Later, Thomas Jefferson bought the 157-acre parcel of land containing the bridge for what amounts to $200 in today’s money. Visit Natural Bridge for a hike, some photos of the 215-foot-limestone arch, and a star-gazing program. 
• Rapidan Camp was constructed by the Marine Corps in 1929 as Herbert Hoover’s “summer White House.” Presidents used the camp until the time of Jimmy Carter. The buildings and 164 acres are now part of Shenandoah National Park. Visitors can take a ranger-led tour of the remaining three buildings and surrounding area.
• Another popular nearby vacation destination for American presidents is The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs. Since its construction in 1766, 22 presidents have stayed there!
• Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery contains the final resting places of James Monroe and John Tyler in its Presidents Circle section. Monroe’s tomb was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Historical sites like those near Staunton provide windows into the past as well as nuanced explorations of history offering visitors a deeper understanding of our leaders’ contributions, challenges, lives, and historical context. Happy Presidents’ Day!