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Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings

	OAK HILL Virginia
Loudoun County, on U.S. 15, about 1 mile north of Gilberts Corner. Travel Itinerary

Ownership and Administration. Privately owned.

Significance. James Monroe built this palatial mansion at the height of his career, during his first term as President of the United States, drafted the Monroe Doctrine in it, and retired there at the end of his public career. In 1805 he had inherited the property from his uncle, but lack of funds prevented him from beginning construction of a home for at least a decade. He obtained architectural assistance from James Hoban, architect of the Capitol, and by 1823 had completed the mansion, constructed of brick kilned nearby. Monroe furnished it with pieces from his Ash Lawn estate, which he later sold. Spending much time at Oak Hill, he made horseback trips to and from the Capital. On the grounds, among numerous locust and poplar trees, he planted an oak for each State in the Union, and thereby gave the estate its name. In 1825 he left the White House and retired to Oak Hill, where he entertained such notables as President John Quincy Adams and the Marquis de Lafayette. Financial problems forced him to sell all of his property, and in 1830 he moved to New York to live with his daughter. He died the following year.

While serving as President, James Monroe built this mansion on his Oak Hill estate. The estate derived its name from the oaks that he planted to represent the States in the Union.

Present Appearance. The brick mansion originally consisted of a two-story central portion with small, one-room wings, but in 1923 the owner enlarged the wings. The south portico, two stories high and supported by seven Doric pillars, is the most striking feature of the mansion. A number of outbuildings remain, including a smokehouse, springhouse, and law office. The house and grounds are privately owned and are not open to the public.

NHL Designation: 12/19/60