James Monroe: The Era of Good Feelings

Address

Heart of Virginia Tours
4611 Sylvan Road
Richmond, VA 23225
Phone

804-678-9750 (Heart of Virginia Tours)

804-731-3151 (Richard Lewis' Phone)
City

Richmond

Locality

Richmond City

Wed, Feb 01, 2017 - Wed, Dec 31, 2025

James Monroe held more public offices than any of our presidents, yet often he is overshadowed by Jefferson, Madison and Washington. Monroe defined America’s foreign policy and brought about an “Era of Good Feelings” by focusing on westward expansion and ignoring European troubles. Our tour visits three cities where he lived and begins with an In the Footsteps walking tour in historic Fredericksburg. The James Monroe Museum will host us for a reception and guided tour with the curator and we’ll end our day with dinner and live professional theater. In Richmond we’ll get a personal tour of the governor’s mansion that Monroe had built for Virginia. Monroe was influenced by Patrick Henry, who gave his famous Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death! speech in Richmond at St. John’s Church – and we’ll attend a reenactment of that event in the very place where it happened. Our visit to Richmond is highlighted by a visit to Monroe’s grave in Hollywood Cemetery. Near Charlottesville we’ll tour Highland, Monroe’s home, and have fun making our own candles. We’ll also visit his neighbor Thomas Jefferson at Monticello and enjoy a fine lunch just down the hill at historic Michie Tavern.