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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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Regional StudiesSmall GroupMilitary HistoryHistory
Length
6 days
Rating (4.97)
Activity Level
Starts at
1,799

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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
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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
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
Profile Image
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.

Profile Image of Karen Warnecke
Karen Warnecke View biography
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.
Profile Image of Teri Toepke
Teri Toepke View biography
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.
Profile Image of Dennis Bigelow
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.
Profile Image of Patrick Campbell
Patrick Campbell View biography
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.
Profile Image of John Ragosta
John Ragosta View biography
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.
Profile Image of Zeb Gray
Zeb Gray View biography
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.
Profile Image of Rick Salamida
Rick Salamida View biography
Richard J. Salamida holds an M.S. in manufacturing systems engineering from Lehigh University, a B.S. in Computer Science from Rochester Institute of Technology, and an A.A.S. in mathematics from Herkimer County Community College. His career spans both the commercial and service industries, with over 30 years in consulting, business process improvement, and technical analysis in HR/payroll systems. He also owned and operated businesses in the restaurant and technology sectors, later transitioning into the travel industry as a group leader.
Profile Image of Nicole Lesley
Nicole Lesley View biography
Nicole Lesley received her bachelor's in business management from the University of Phoenix in 2015. After spending 15 years in the hotel industry, she earned her International Tour Manager certification in 2020, and made the transition into the travel industry. In her first season with Road Scholar, she spent the last four years leading student education trips in Washington DC, Richmond and Virginia's Historic Triangle, as well as adult and family trips throughout the United States and Eastern Canada.
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