Residence, near Chiirioi tesville 



the most favorable conditions of present-day country life. The estate 

 was bequeathed to Mr. Monroe by an unmarried uncle, and the family 

 for some years occupied a small cottage on the spot now occupied by the 

 stately mansion, the foundations of which were laid in 1817, the year 

 in w^hich he was inaugurated as the fifth President. It was completed 

 in 1820. 



One of the most notable events connected with Oak Hill was the enter- 

 tainment of Lafayette, who came to the United States in 1824, at the 

 invitation of President Monroe. After his tour of the country, he re- 

 paired to Oak Hill, being escorted from Leesburg by a guard of honor 

 consisting of the youth and chivalry of Virginia. He was charmed with 

 the beauty of the place, and subsequently sent to it several mementos 

 of his visit, among them the mantles of two of the principal apartments. 



Upon the death of President Monroe, Oak Hill passed into the pos- 



