George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson
Virginia and Massachusetts Homes of the First Four US Presidents
Mar 23, 2009
Four of the first six United States Presidents were from oldest colony, Virginia. Although the home of 5th President James Monroe remains a private residence, the houses of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison can be visited by the public.
Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims first formed their settlement, and the location of many events leading up to the American Revolution, was the home of the Presidential father and son John and John Quincy Adams. Their homes can be seen in Braintree, where the home of John Hancock can also be visited.
George Washington
The 1st President of the United States of America, George Washington (1732-1799), often referred to as the father of the country, served as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Following the war, he intended to retire to his estate in Virginia, but he was called upon to serve as President of the United States from 1789-1797. After his term in office, he lived the remainder of his life at his plantation, Mount Vernon.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is open every day of the year. The opening hours vary according to season. The estate is located 16 miles from Washington D.C. and 8 miles from Alexandria, Virginia.
Touring the main house, visitors learn of the lives of George and Martha Washington while seeing most rooms in the house, including the bedchamber where Washington died. The remainder of the property has several other spots of note including practical buildings of the plantation, gardens still exhibiting trees planted by the first president, and an impressive view of The Potomac River.
John Adams
Signer of the Declaration of Independence, 1st Vice-President, and 2nd President, John Adams (1735-1826) and his beloved and trusted wife Abigail Adams (1744-1818) came to parent a family of influential figures.
Although John Adams only served one term as president, he devoted his life to the formation and service of his newly created country. His legacy of intellectual ideals and political practicalities was continued in the work of future generations, several of which lived in the family homestead of Peacefield, or “Old House,” near Boston Massachusetts.
Adams National Historical Park
From April to November, Adams National Historical Park runs tours of the family homes of Adams. Departing from the visitors’ center in Quincy, Massachusetts, tours are free to under 16s and cost $5 for adults.
Guided tours depart the visitors’ center, traveling to two houses, standing side by side, which are the birth places of John Adams and eldest son, John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), 6th United States President. Visitors are shown the family homes, where John and Abigail raised their family.
Visitors are then taken to the later home of the family, Peacefield, inhabited not only by John, Abigail, and their immediate descendents, but also by their grandson, U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, Charles Francis Adams and their great grandsons, writers and historians, Henry Adams and Brooks Adams.
The original structure of the house was built in 1731, but expansions were added by various generations of the family, who initially acquired the house in 1787. The history of the family and the house are revealed while touring the interior, where visitors see all rooms including the library used by several generations and the bedroom where Abigail’s dramatic death played out.
On the farm property visitors are also permitted inside the library of John Quincy Adams, containing over 14,000 volumes and believed to be the first presidential library.
The graves of both Adams Presidents and First Ladies can be seen in the church where they attended services, United First Parish Church.
Thomas Jefferson
Principle author of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, 2nd Vice-President, and 3rd President, the tall red-headed Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) remains one of the nation’s most talked about Founding Fathers. Famously his friendship with John Adams was strained due to their sometimes opposing political views, but by the end of their lives they had resumed correspondence with each other. The two also retained respect for each other, auspiciously both dying on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the document for which both men had worked tirelessly.
Monticello
Although Thomas Jefferson at times lived controversially, especially after the early death of his wife, Martha Wayles (1748-1782), Jefferson is also praised as a true “Renaissance Man” of many talents. His artistic and inventive talents are most extensively exhibited at his estate of Monticello.
The name derives from the Italian for “little mountain,” and the structure of the house is based on the classical style of Palladian architecture. In some ways, the much later built Jefferson memorial resembles the home of the man it honors.
Located near Charlottesville, Virginia, it is approximately 125 miles away from Washington D.C. It is open every day of the year, excluding Christmas Day, although opening hours are extended between March and October.
James Madison
One of the authors of the Federalist Papers and 4th President of the United States, James Madison (1751-1836) was married to the often noted hostess Dolley Madison (1768-1849). Apart from during time of political service, Madison lived from birth to death on his family’s estate in Virginia, Montpelier.
Montpelier
Open every day of the year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, Montpelier is located about 4 miles from Orange, Virginia, 2 hours from Washington D.C. and only 30 minutes from Charlottesville and thereby Monticello.
Thomas Jefferson assisted in some of the expansion designs of Montpelier, which has been recently restored to its appearance as when owned by Madison. The house had been bought by the Duponts, who had preserved some parts of the home for the sake of historic value but also made extensive changes. The structure has now been returned to its former appearance, and although restoration of the interior continues the house can now be toured by the public.
Guided tours of the house are enjoyable and informative. Visitors may also tour the grounds, including the burial sight of James and Dolley Madison.
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