Ash Lawn - Highland

Thursday, November 5
Bruce and I visited Ash Lawn, home of 5th US president, James Monroe. He was also U.S. Senator, Minister to France, England and Spain; Governor of Virginia; Secretary of State and of War.
Not so fancy as Montpelier (he called it his "cabin castle"), but still very interesting with a lot of French culture and more slave information. Monroe was over 6' and had a rather short bed. Apparently they slept propped up on pillows rather than stretched out, so his feet didn't hang over the edge. They intended to retire here but had to sell it because of finances and poor health. Presidents did NOT have all the perks they do today!
The gardens and fields were beautiful and we got a personal tour of a kitchen in what had been slave quarters. A gal in colonial dress was waiting for some school kids to come for a demonstration, and she invited us in and showed us how they cooked on the hearth and a lot of the utensils they used. She explained how they kept the food warm in pans of hot water as they brought it from the kitchen under the house. Quite interesting, but I'll keep my microwave. For more information, go to www.ashlawnhighland.org