Virginia
Virginia, Mother of Presidents: Seven Historic Sites
Program No. 19969RJ
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Virginia, exploring seven presidential homes, visiting national landmarks and enjoying traditional colonial food at the historic Michie Tavern.
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Protecting the Environment
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6 days
5 nights
14 meals
5B 5L 4D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, VA's Eight Presidents
Charlottesville
2
Mount Vernon Full Day Field Trip
Charlottesville
3
Jefferson & Leadership, Highland & Monticello
Charlottesville
4
Madison, Montpelier, Montebello, Free Evening
Charlottesville
5
Sherwood Forest Plantation, Berkeley Plantation
Charlottesville
6
Woodrow Wilson Birthplace, Program Concludes
Charlottesville
At a Glance
Truly the “Mother of Presidents,” the state of Virginia is the birthplace of eight of the country’s chief executives. Seven of these Old Dominion natives were among the first twelve holders of the nation’s highest office. Explore with experts how the homes of these men reflect their personalities and the social norms of each man’s own era.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 2 miles a day over uneven terrain.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Visit the homes of seven former United States presidents, including Washington’s beloved Mount Vernon and Jefferson’s masterpiece at Monticello.
- Experience the beauty of the Virginia countryside from the mountains to the Tidewater region, and enjoy lunch at historic Michie Tavern.
- Meet one of the Founding Fathers in a lively interaction where you can ask questions and gain insights from a convincing historical interpreter.
General Notes
This program visits eight different homes & locations over six days. We try our best to explore each individual area as best we can. Please be aware that bus time is crucial, and travel may take up to a few hours at a time.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Dennis Bigelow
For more than a decade, Dennis Bigelow has interpreted the character of President James Monroe for the College of William & Mary at Highland, Monroe's home in Albemarle County, Virginia. He has performed at the White House, Colonial Williamsburg, the Virginia State House, the National Archives, the Smithsonian, and other venues. He shares ancestral grandparents with Thomas Jefferson through the Randolph family as well as Chief Justice John Marshall, a great friend of Monroe and a maternal ancestral uncle.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Karen Warnecke
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Karen Warnecke attended the University of Buffalo. After college, she made her way to San Diego, California, where she met her husband. His 30-year naval flight career led them to raise four sons all over the country. In Charlottesville, Karen continued her career with the University Of Virginia School Of Medicine as a course coordinator for first-year medical students. She retired several years ago to allow more opportunities to travel, visit family and friends, work in her garden, read, and enjoy the local area.
Teri Toepke
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Teri Toepke has been an educator for her entire adult life. She graduated from The College of William & Mary with a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.Ed. in Special Education, and advanced course work in administration. She taught at Eastern State Hospital, public and private schools, and Hampton University Department of Education. Moving into museum education, she provided educational programs for children and adults. In 2006, she returned to the College as director of Learning Odysseys. Teri is a Civil War historian and reenactor.
Dennis Bigelow
View biography
For more than a decade, Dennis Bigelow has interpreted the character of President James Monroe for the College of William & Mary at Highland, Monroe's home in Albemarle County, Virginia. He has performed at the White House, Colonial Williamsburg, the Virginia State House, the National Archives, the Smithsonian, and other venues. He shares ancestral grandparents with Thomas Jefferson through the Randolph family as well as Chief Justice John Marshall, a great friend of Monroe and a maternal ancestral uncle.
Patrick Campbell
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Patrick Campbell spent an exciting and challenging 21 years as a U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer and lawyer, then 13 years teaching government courses, coaching, and administration in independent schools. He joined the team at Montpelier in 2017 and appreciates the chance to partner with groups who want to expand their understanding and engagement as citizens. Patrick has a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, and an M.Ed and J.D. from the University of Virginia.
John Ragosta
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John Ragosta, an award-winning author, is currently a historian at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello and a fellow at Virginia Humanities. He has taught history and law at the University of Virginia, George Washington University, and Hamilton, Oberlin, and Randolph Colleges. Dr. Ragosta has published on a broad range of topics in historical, legal, and scientific journals and written several important books on the development of American religious freedom.
Zeb Gray
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Zeb Gray is a public historian who has served as a wilderness educator – teaching in North and Central America – and a training manager for a Department of Labor program serving economically disadvantaged young people. Zeb received his education from Randolph College, and his public history expertise includes the Richmond National Battlefield Park, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, and James Madison’s Montpelier.
Suggested Reading List
(21 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Virginia, Mother of Presidents: Seven Historic Sites
Program Number: 19969
Woodrow Wilson: A Biography
Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II
A Slave in the White House: Paul Jennings and the Madisons
The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism
George Washington: Writings
Jefferson and Monroe: Constant Friendship and Respect
“Those Who Labor for My Happiness”: Slavery at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
Thomas Jefferson and His Time
American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson
Zachary Taylor
John Tyler
The Federalist Papers
James Madison: A Biography
James Monroe: The Quest for National Identity
The Original Black Elite: Daniel Murray and the Story of a Forgotten Era
Madison and Jefferson.
John Tyler, the Accidental President
The Educational Legacy of Woodrow Wilson: From College to Nation.
James Madison the Founding Father
William Henry Harrison.
Zachary Taylor