America has a fascination with its presidents. One of the best ways to delve into the character of each commander-in-chief is to visit their historic homes. EW has compiled six great estates to visit in Virginia, Massachusetts, and New York.
1. George Washington’s Mount Vernon (Virginia)
Mount Vernon was the home of the first president of the United States. George Washington lived on this forty-five-acre estate before and after his presidency. The grounds, including a spectacular view of the Potomac River, are open to the public. Washington’s estate features several vibrant gardens, lots of farm animals, and a dozen trees that date back to the president’s lifetime.
A new National Treasure Tour is available for visitors who want a behind-the-scenes look at the locations where the movie was filmed. Because these tours are highly popular, book ahead is essential. Tours run from March 1 to October 31, 2009 at 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.
Regular visits to Mount Vernon are possible 365 days of the year. Admission is $14 for adults, $7 for children (ages 6 to 11), and free for children ages 5 and under.
Washington Monument
2. John Adams’ Peacefield or The Old House (Massachusetts)
Peacefield, also known as the Old House, was the home and farm of John Adams. It was the family residence of the Adams family for four generations. Adams’ son, John Quincy Adams, was also president of the United States. The house includes the Stone Library, which contains over 14,000 volumes.
As with George Washington’s residence, tours are available for visitors. It is smart to arrive early, as the house has become a popular tourist attraction since the publication of David McCullough’s John Adams (2002 Pulitzer Prize) and the HBO miniseries John Adams. The historic site is typically open from April 19 through November 10. During this time it is open seven days a week from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Entrance fees run from $5.00 for adults, while children under 16 years of age enter for free.
3. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello (Virginia)
Monticello and its surrounding area constituted the main area of the estate, as Thomas Jefferson’s grounds had a number of partitions based on natural barriers. The 5,000 acres are currently filled with a variety of exotic plant life among a number of separate farms in area. A true Renaissance man, the former president was responsible for the design of the majestic property including the thirty-three-room house. Its décor remains consistent with Jefferson’s taste though much of the original content has been sold. In a difficult state of affairs, Jefferson’s daughter Martha sold the original contents of the estate in order to pay off her father’s massive debt after his death. The primary author of the Declaration of Independence and founder of the University of Virginia managed to amass a sizable debt.
Adults can expect to pay from $15 to $20, depending on time of year, for entrance to the estate. The fee is $8 for children except those under 6 who enter free of charge. Hours are based on season: March to October runs from 8am to 5pm with November to February open from 9am to 4:30 pm. A virtual tour is available on the Monticello website.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
4. Theodore Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill (Oyster Bay, New York)
Sagamore Hill is a pleasant estate to visit. The former home of Theodore Roosevelt is filled with the various gifts he received from ambassadors. It also contains the hunting trophies Roosevelt collected over the years. Visitors are required to take a guided tour to see the 23 rooms of the house. The guides are friendly and well-informed.
In addition to the house, visitors have the option to trek along the Sagamore Hill Nature Trail. A brisk walk through a wooded area will drop travelers off at a beachfront area. The rest of the neighborhood has a number of beautiful homes that are worth viewing by foot, bicycle, or car.
Sagamore Hill is open every day expect major holidays. Tours of the house are offered from 10am to 4pm. Entrance for adults is $5 with children under 15 entering gratis.
5. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Springwood (Hyde Park, New York)
Springwood was the lifelong home and passion of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt regularly returned to his house in the Hudson River Valley during his unprecedented four terms as president of the United States. The beautiful area features numerous restaurants, historic sites, and hiking trails nearby. Additionally, Roosevelt’s cottage retreat is on the grounds. He was directly involved with designing it to match the local Dutch Colonial style. Be sure to visit the Presidential Library and Museum too.
Springwood is open seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Visitors are welcome from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. While the grounds are free to wander, tours of the home are limited, so it is best to call ahead.
6. John F. Kennedy’s Brookline (Massachusetts)
Brookline was the birthplace and childhood home of John F. Kennedy. His family bought the property for a second time in the 1960s, after several other had occupied it. Mrs. Kennedy restored the home to its original décor including the personal furnishings and photographs of the Kennedy family. His mother also added several of JFK’s childhood items such as his bassinet and the piano on which he took lessons. The neighborhood, including Beals Street, is pleasant to wander through.
The home has two options for visitors: ranger-led tours or self-guided audio tours. John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site is currently closed for the winter season, but will reopen for in a couple of months. Adults are expected to pay $3 for admission while children 17 years of age and under enter free.
Minor updates and edits were made from the original article.
Photos © Gennaro Salamone
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Please contact him with questions regarding article or photo submissions.