*Dates subject to change

*Refunds issued only if Ash Lawn-Highland cancels an event

**Hiking Trails are closed until further notice for the protection of our domestic and field animals

***See more information on Christmas events
2008

Monday, January 21, 2008

Voices of the Innocent. The life of slave children at Ash Lawn-Highland as well as a visit with President James Monroe 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Included with regular admission

February 13, 2008

Ash Lawn-Highland: First Place in the Nation Public May Obtain New James Monroe $1 Coins.Join President James Monroe (portrayed by Dennis Bigelow) as the United States Mint presents him with 2008's first Presidential coin of the year...just in time for Valentine's day. Ceremony is at 11:00 am and the public is invited to attend.

February 1 through October 31 2008

Special Exhibit. DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION: Costume in the Age of Monroe and the New Republic. Included with regular admission. Exhibit has been extended by popular demand through October 31.

Sunday &Monday,
February 17 &18, 2008

Presidents' Day. Chat with President James Monroe (portrayed by Dennis Bigelow) at the home of our nation's fifth president.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Home School Teachers' Appreciation Day We invite all Home School Teachers to visit Ash Lawn-Highland. Included in the days events will be a visit with President James Monroe and Colonial food ways interpreter Martha Bar. Also watch as the Ash Lawn-Highland sheep get their spring shearing by shearer Sy Caryl. Home School teachers admitted free of charge.

March 1 through 31, 2008

"James Monroe: A Gentleman's Library". In celebration of the Virginia Festival of the Book, Ash Lawn-Highland presents an exhibition of rarely-seen selections representing President James Monroe’s collection of 3,000 late 18th- and early 19th-century French and English volumes.
April 19 through 27, 2008
Historic Garden Week. Enjoy the historic gardens at the home of James Monroe fifth President of the United States, especially beautified for Historic Garden Week.
Sunday, April 27, 2008

Teacher Appreciation Day: Families at the Plantation.
Monday, April 28, 2008
President James Monroe's 250th Birthday Day. Join us as we celebrate the 25oth anniversary of James Monroe's birth. Visit with James Monroe and other costumed re-enactors.
Sat. & Sun., May 17 & 18, 2008
14th Annual Virginia WineFest. Despite their love of good wines Monroe and Jefferson had little success with their vineyards. Fortunately modern wine culture has solved ealier problems. Enjoy important Virginia vineyards, music, gourmet food, Monroe house tours and more. Admission charge includes wine glass and tastings. 11 am to 5 pm. Reservations accepted by phone: 434-293-9539.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Elizabeth Monroe's 240th Birthday. Learn about the lives and roles of women on the plantation as we celebrate Mrs. Monroe's birthday.
Postponed until early Fall

Please note: This presentation has been postponed and will be rescheduled in the early Fall.

Rare Survivals: The James Monroe Clothing Collection and its Conservation. Colleen Callahan, noted clothing historian and conservator, will present an illustrated lecture at Ash Lawn-Highland, on Sunday, June 22 at 3 pm.  The topic of Ms. Callahan’s presentation will be the conservation of the clothing that belonged to James Monroe, his family and descendants that survives in the collection of the James Monroe Museum and Library in Fredericksburg, VA.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Celebrating America's Independence. Work and play on a 19th century plantation. Craft demonstrations, colonial games and more. Bring your picnic and lunch with us on the lawn.
July 4 through August 10, 2008
Ash Lawn Opera Festival. Recognized by Money Magazine as one of the world's top twenty summer opera festivals, the Ash Lawn Opera Festival will present its 30th season of opera and musical theater. You can tour the Monroe house, picnic in the gardens and then enjoy a night of music under the stars! (Separate admission applies for house tour and performance.)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monroe's Tuesday Workshops: Spiders, Cranes and Bails. Learn the art of open hearth cooking in the Monroe era. Part of a summer series of Tuesday hands-on craft workshops. Bring a lunch and picnic in the gardens. For ages 8 to adult. $10 children/$15 adults. Fee includes a guided tour of the Monroe house. Space is limited, call 434-293-9539 for reservations.
Tuesday, July 22 , 2008
Monroe's Tuesday Workshops: Fun and Games 1800s Style. Learn games the Monroe family played such as dominoes, graces, quoits, card games and more. Part of a summer series of Tuesday hands-on craft workshops. Bring a lunch and picnic in the gardens. $10 children/$15 adults. Fee includes a guided tour of the Monroe house. Space is limited, call 434-293-9539 for reservations.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monroe's Tuesday Workshops: One If By Land. Design and create your own hand-punched lantern at the Monroe home. Part of a summer series of Tuesday hands-on craft workshops. Bring a lunch and picnic in the gardens. For ages 8 to adult. $10 children/$15 adults. Fee includes a guided tour of the Monroe house. Space is limited, call 434-293-9539 for reservations.
August through December
Special Exhibit. Seated in Style: Monroe Family and White House Chairs
Tuesday, August 7, 2008
Monroe's Tuesday Workshops: Lighten up. The Monroe family and Highland residents relied on candles for much of their light. Take home your own hand-dipped beeswax candles. Part of a summer series of Tuesday hands-on craft workshops. Bring a lunch and picnic in the gardens. For ages 5 to adult. $10 children/$15 adults. Fee includes a guided tour of the Monroe house. Space is limited, call 434-293-9539 for reservations.
Tuesday, September 16 , 2008
 Pulitzer Prize Winner Daniel Walker Howe Discusses His Book - What Hath God Wrought:The Transformation of America, 1815-1848. Dr. Howe describes an exciting era of territorial expansion and national growth and how political and military events, new technologies, and the rise of religious and progressive movements (most notably, the one against slavery), contributed to a far larger and changed nation by the end of the War with Mexico in 1848. He will speak at Ash Lawn-Higland at 7:00 PM. Please call 434-293-9539 for more information. Reservations are suggested.
October 1 through 31, 2008
"One Home, Many Stories: Archaeoloy at Ash Lawn-Highland." A special exhibition during the month of October (Virginia Archaeology Month) showcases artifacts recovered in excavations over the past thirty years.
Saturday, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12, 2008
Archaeology Workshop Series. A series of hands-on archaeology digs, open to the public. Learn the basics of archaeology as you excavate on the Monroe estate, screen and wash artifacts and report your findings. For ages 8 to adult. No unaccompanied children, please. Workshop fee is $15 for children and $20 for adults and includes tour of Monroe Home. Rain or shine. Space is limited, call for reservations: 434-293-9539.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Veteran's Day. Commemoration of Veteran's Day at the home of Revolutionary War Veteran and U.S. President James Monroe, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Veterans and current military personnel are admitted free all day.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Annual Open House. Our neighbors are invited to celebrate the 209th anniversary of the Monroe's arrival at Highland in 1799 and learn of his role in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and his Monroe Doctrine statement in 1823. Enjoy a visit with President Monroe. Residents of Albemarle and bordering counties (Augusta, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, Orange and Rockingham) admitted free.
November 24 through December 24
Cut Your Own Christmas Tree. Families are invited to cut their own Christmas trees from nearby fields of Virginia pine and cedar. Cutting is permitted from 11 am to 4 pm daily. A donation, which will be used to help preserve the historic Monroe home, is requested. Check in at the Gift Shop for directions to the cutting fields. Bring a saw and a rope to tie the tree to your vehicle.
December 7 through 31, 2008
House Decorated for Christmas. Fresh boxwood, fruits, holly and more adorn the historic home in the early 19th century style of President James and Elizabeth Monroe, with a late 19th century emphasis in the Victorian addition.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Gingerbread and Lace Ornament Workshop. Ash Lawn-Highland’s head kitchen and craft interpreter Martha Bar will direct an ornament workshop.  Each participant in the workshop will be guided through the process of making three Victorian inspired tree decorations.