Historic
Sites
Historic tours that actively involve children are one of the
best ways for kids to learn about our past. Even families with very young
children can enjoy many of the attractions. The grounds of many of these
sites have hands-on activities during the tourist season and gardens that
can be explored any time of the year. Our families found that touring
the inside of historic homes was easiest if they had an adult for every
child under age 5 or if parents took older children through the home while
another adult watched younger children outside. Attractions
marked with a * are part of the Timetravelers
program. As Timetravelers kids can collect six stamps at these attractions
and send them in for a free T-shirt and a chance at other neat prizes.
Many participating locations give discounts on admission to Timetravelers
and their families. See the chapter Getting Started.
Ash
Lawn-Highland
James Monroe Parkway
(Route 795)
Charlottesville |
Ash
Lawn-Highland, home of our fifth president, James Monroe, is an excellent
historic site for kids during the March through October tourist season.
During these months, costumed guides demonstrate cooking, weaving,
spinning and other plantation chores at the outbuildings around the
property. Kids can try their hand at hoop rolling or lawn bowling,
and animals such as chickens, peacocks and sheep roam the grounds.
The towering boxwood gardens have secret paths running inside the
hedges, great for hide-and-seek and exploring. Since the original
portion of the Monroe house was a modest five-room home, the house
tour is brief (about 30 minutes). At the end, guests are brought outside
to view the kitchen, where several hands-on activities await young
visitors. Although tours vary depending on the guide and the group,
most guides go out of their way to include children. The rooms in
the house, however, are very small, making the house tour difficult
with toddlers. The home is handicapped-accessible, but strollers must
be parked outside. |
As
always, we welcome feedback and queries.
Please call at
(434) 978 1700 or send
us email.
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