Coming Exhibitions

Past Exhibitions

Exhibitions

Our Face to the World: The Clothing of James and Elizabeth Monroe

Closing March, 2010

Throughout their lives together, James and Elizabeth Monroe were often called upon to represent their young country on the world stage - they became the face of America in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was the good impression that James and Elizabeth Monroe made at the French court, where fashion and image was everything, that allowed the United States to retain France as a powerful ally and eventually to complete the Louisiana Purchase. But appearance was important at home, as well. The Monroe family had to change their style to fit the American view of what a statesman and President should be. It was their public appearance during the Monroe Administration that created the presidential image that we still have today. This exhibition highlights the remarkable collection of clothing owned and worn by James and Elizabeth Monroe that has been the focus of an intense 4-year long conservation and study project. This will be the public's first, and probably last, opportunity to see the collection in its entirety. Everything from the suit that James Monroe wore during the negotiations for the Louisiana Purchase to Elizabeth Monroe's wedding gown will be on display. Visitors will have the opportunity to view these beautiful pieces and to learn about the importance of image in politics, both at home and abroad, during James Monroe's lifetime.

James Monroe: An American Life

An American Life provides visitors with an overview of James Monroe's private and professional life. It highlights some of his greatest accomplishments, as well as some of his lesser known achievements. Additionally, the lives of the Monroe women - Elizabeth Monroe and her two daughters, Eliza and Maria Hester - are presented as never before. Objects from all of the Monroes' various homes are displayed, along with documents from the Museum's archives. Visitors can also read about the connection between James Monroe and Fredericksburg and the early history of the Museum.

The Making of a Revolutionary

It is a little-known fact that James Monroe not only served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, but also was wounded at the Battle of Trenton and nearly died from his injuries. How did young James Monroe make the decision to take up arms against the British and put his life on the line for the cause? How did that decision affect the rest of his life? In this exhibition, we explore not only Monroe's military career, but also his childhood and formative years, focusing on the people and events that made him into the man he was to become. Many of the weapons and implements Monroe carried into battle are displayed in the exhibition, as well as items of clothing from his college years, and furniture from his childhood home. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn exactly how involved James Monroe was in the war that created the United States of America.

The Era of Good Feeling: The Monroe Family in Washington

James Monroe and his family resided in Washington, DC from 1811 (when Monroe was appointed Secretary of State by James Madison) until 1825 (when Monroe's two terms as President ended). During that time, the Monroe family experienced the up's and down's of political life, and were responsible for establishing the style of living in the White House that is still the standard today. The Monroes were the first family to live in the newly rebuilt White House, following the War of 1812. In this exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to view furnishings that the Monroes brought to the White House in an attempt to fill up the many empty rooms of the mansion, see the formal dinner and dessert china that they purchased for entertaining, and learn about their complex relationship with Washington society. The famous "Monroe Doctrine Desk" is also on display. Family legend states that it was the desk at which Monroe was sitting when he penned his 1823 foriegn policy statement.

Americans in Paris: Monroe as Diplomat

The Monroe family lived abroad in Europe from 1794 to 1797 and 1803 to 1807, when James Monroe served as Minister to France and then Ambassador to France, England and Spain. The family travelled together, and their experiences overseas, and especially in Paris, would have a profound effect on the rest of their lives. They fell in love with French culture and the style of life there, and the French people embraced the Monroes, as well. In this exhibition, visitors will see the Louis XVI set of furniture that graced the Monroe home in Paris, and was eventually brought to the White House. The recently conserved gilt armchair that once belonged to Napoleon makes its debut in the exhibit, and an English harp played by eldest daughter Eliza Monroe is also featured.