Oak Hill : James Monroe's Loudoun Seat

James Monroe (1758-1831) created at Oak Hill a symbol of the status he had achieved in his rise from humble beginnings to the presidency of the United States. The house articulates his personal tastes, sense of propriety, and social ambitions. It stands today as a tribute to our fifth president and is possibly the only historic site in the United States that retains its integrity to the time of Monroe. He constructed the dwelling during his second presidential term and was well aware of the statement he was making in the Virginia countryside.
This thesis untangles some of the myths surrounding the design and construction of Oak Hill and brings to light the contribution of other figures, including Monroe himself, in the final product.