Madison's Montpelier
The RevWar/Colonial History?General Washington ping list...
Posted on 02/13/2010 1:41:13 PM PST by Pharmboy
From Thomas Jefferson's beloved Monticello to the sacred battlefield where Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal Gettysburg address, one road meanders through a region where 17 presidents carved out their lives, shaped their legacies and made their homes.
Spanning three states — Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania — Route 15 is a 180-mile long stretch of highway that bisects a 75-mile-wide region that is said to hold more historic sites than any other in America, including the largest collection of Civil War sites in the nation.
Recently designated as The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, the area is also home to sites from the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
Dubbed by some as "where America happened," the region was an active transportation route during the Revolutionary War, a critical transition zone for the Underground Railroad and a key battleground during the Civil War. Now a bucolic corridor, this passageway once served as a roadbed through the many stages of our nation's creation.
But while the names Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln are commonly associated with this region, 14 other presidents added to the rich history of an area that is home to James Madison's Montpelier, James Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland, Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farm, Teddy Roosevelt's Pine Knot and Herbert Hoover's hunting cabin, all of which are open to the public — weather permitting — and provide a unique look back at presidential history this Presidents Day weekend.
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Ash Lawn-Highland — Home of President James Monroe
Open to the public. Located in Albemarle County, Va.
James Monroe's 550-acre estate recreates the atmosphere of a working farm, with strutting peacocks, spinning and weaving demonstrations, open hearth cooking demonstrations and tours of the house and gardens. (434-293-9539)
Eisenhower National Historic Site — President Eisenhower's weekend retreat near Gettysburg
Open to the public. Located in Adams County, Pa.
The farm is the only place President and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower ever called home. Today you can tour the home, grounds and barns preserved as they were in the Eisenhower days. (717-338-9144)
David Wills House — Site of the final edits of the Gettysburg Address
Open to the public. Located in Adams County, Pa.
President Lincoln stayed here on the eve of his Gettysburg Address and this is where he did the final edits to one of his greatest speeches. (717-334-8188)
Montpelier and Madison's Tomb — Lifelong home of James Madison
Open to the public. Located in Orange County, Va.
Montpelier, the lifelong home of James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution" and fourth president of the United States, was also home to three generations of the Madison family from 1723 to 1844. (540-672-2728)
Monticello — Home of Thomas Jefferson
Open to the public. Located in Albemarle County, Va.
Monticello is the autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jefferson, designed and redesigned and built and rebuilt for more than 40 years. The gardens at Monticello were a botanic showpiece, a source of food and an experimental laboratory of ornamental and useful plants from around the world. (434-984-9800)
Soldiers National Cemetery — The site of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
Open to the public. Located in Adams County, Pa.
It was here that President Abraham Lincoln spoke of "these honored dead ..." and reunited the war-torn nation with his most famous speech, the Gettysburg Address. (717-334-1124)
For more information on the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Scenic Byway or to download maps for the region, visit www.HallowedGround.org
Madison's Montpelier
The RevWar/Colonial History?General Washington ping list...
We did go to James Madison’s house after Montecello — but I want to do the Route 15 (I will be in Richmond, VA for at least the next year).
Oh - wow - had no idea LaHood did something right.
Thanks for the ping and hope to be able to follow that highway sometime soon.
Mount Vernon is not on it?
That’s my favorite President’s home to visit.
Well, The General’s place is a wee bit off 15...but the Mount Vernon’s Ladies Association has done a fantastic job over these years. And the new museum is stupendous...does not ruin the look of the estate.
Mount Vernon is a wonderful place to visit. So much history there, and the museum is a must see.
It has been re-restored to a place of beauty, grounds and all. And you come away with knowing just what a great man Washington was, and how that greatness has inspired generations.
It must have been very hard for him to be away from Mt. vernon during the Revolutionary War, sleeping in a tent in cold and hot, and knowing the battle and the Cause could be lost if he erred. Rather than a life of ease he had earned, he fought for the country you and I would someday call home, and for a legacy of freedom.
He indeed was the father of our country.
They have done a magnificent job at Mount Vernon. Washington deserved to live in such a great place.
Rt 15, Gettysburg, PA, my old stomping grounds... They received 44 inches of snow over the last two weeks.
I don’t associate Lincoln with “this region”. Being president doesn’t count, else all presidents are “associated”.
Gettysburg, and all that...
“reunited the war-torn nation with his most famous speech, the Gettysburg Address.”
Ptooey.
Reunited? In the middle of war?
15 minutes doesn’t count, either. ;-)
That’s because it’s underground. ;-)
Hey...I’m a RevWar guy and Washingtonian...Lincoln was never my particular cup of tea.
Thanks so much...can you post more pictures?
B ... TTT!
James Monroe's Home. Poster's note: Many people do not know that James Monroe was a 17 year old Lt. when General Washington sent him and a nephew of the General to charge a Hessian artillery position at the Battle of Trenton. Monroe and Washington's nephew took the position biut were wounded. Monroe was a fearless fighter and when he set his Doctrine, he meant it.
Jefferson's Monticello
Thanks...
John
Yep...I’m a Gettysburg College grad...got to know that Rt 15 corridor quite well.
reference bump ... thanks for the ping
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