Ashlawn (Highland)

Described by its owner, James Monroe (the fifth U.S. president), as his “castle cabin,” Ashlawn contrasts strikingly with nearby Monticello. A small cottage, with five rooms on the main floor, it is more representative of the common building stock of the period than of a design concept. Monroe was deeply in debt at the time of its construction. He made some additions during 1816–1818 and converted the slave quarters into guest quarters. Jefferson, Monroe's mentor, selected the site, reputedly with a view line to Monticello. Jefferson, who wanted to create a “society to our taste,” composed of friends and political allies, urged Monroe to move to the area. Monroe occupied the property intermittently until 1823. In 1882 a large two-story porticoed house that overwhelmed the modest cottage was added by the Massey family. In 1930 Jay Winston Johns purchased the house, and with his family collected many of Monroe's original furnishings and opened it to the public. The College of William and Mary has operated the property as a museum since 1975. They have embarked on an ambitious restoration program initially led by Milton Grigg. The slave quarters were reconstructed (1985–1988, Douglas Gilpin, Jr.) according to best evidence. Later work and restoration, including significant portions of the Monroe house, have been undertaken by Don A. Swofford and John Waite.