Highland
Also known as: Ash Lawn
Why it's listed
Ash Lawn, which James Monroe called Highland, is a modest farmhouse near Simeon in Albemarle County, Virginia. The oldest section is a one-story, three-bay cottage finished in 1799 and insured in 1800. A connecting parlor passage, probably part of Monroe's original wing, links it to a two-story central-hall addition built about 1860. Clapboard covers the walls, and the western four rooms have brick noggin construction. Fireplaces in every old room carry mantels from simple to elaborate. Monroe, later President from 1817 to 1825, bought the land to live near Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and William Short, and he called the house his "cabin castle." He kept the property until 1830, when he sold it to E.A. Goodwin. Records do not confirm whether Jefferson contributed to the design. The grounds include boxwood-lined paths, a marble statue of Monroe by Piccirilli, and outbuildings: an ice house, a cabin and a smokehouse. The house is now a museum.
Significance in brief: The property was a home of James Monroe, governor of Virginia, diplomat, cabinet member and President from 1817 to 1825. He bought it to live near friends Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and William Short, and called the house his "cabin castle." It is also an example of a simple late eighteenth-century cottage with later additions.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73001990, listed August 14, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | SE of Charlottesville off VA 53, Simeon |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | August 14, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001990 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th and 19th centuries (specific date 1799) |
| Architectural style | Simple late eighteenth-century cottage with mid-nineteenth century additions |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as good; presently an historic house museum. |
| Acreage | 200 |
| Within district | Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.98142, -78.45297 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73001990.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4804414
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.