In 1976, the College of William and Mary conducted an archaeological survey of the Monroe birthplace site and uncovered a 20-by-58 foot foundation, which coincided with known 1845 etchings of the Monroe birth home.
In the early 2000s, plans for developing the birthplace site came to the attention of the James Monroe Memorial Foundation, which was established in 1928 by Monroe's great-great-grandson, Lawrence Gouverneur Hoes.
Partnerships with and donations from Westmoreland County and many state and local chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Daughters of 1812, Daughters of Colonial Wars, Order of Founders and Patriots and the Daughters of Founders and Patriots, as well as individuals, enabled development to begin.
"If we mentioned everyone involved in the project, we'd be here until lunchtime," said Woody Hynson, vicechair of the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors.
A visitors center has been open at the site on weekends for several years and now the house, which is lightly furnished, is part of the experience.
The birthplace park is open free of charge on Saturdays and Sundays.
--Brock-Perry
No comments:
Post a Comment