James Monroe's Highland

Highland provides public history for campus and community! Exploring Virginians’ roles in U.S. history is a theme across Highland’s academic and public activities. From award-winning archaeological research that rediscovered a previously forgotten presidential home, to the new exhibition "A Window to a New America", and dynamic collaborations between William & Mary students and the Highland Council of Descendant Advisors, Highland is redefining the new work that can be done at an old place.

Highland has been part of William & Mary since 1974. It serves as a multidisciplinary research campus, developing innovative real-world projects for students and faculty courses, as well as leading research that invites the public to engage in the stories of this historic place and its people. Thanks to tremendous donor support, the new Community Research Center now supports student and public learning and serves as the center for laboratory operations during excavations.

Leading to the nation’s 250^th celebrations, Highland hosts tens of thousands of visitors each year, exploring our place in the history of the young United States. Thousands of additional guests explore the free rustic trails and ecology and history related programs. The Annual Descendants Day in June brings hundreds of collaborators and community members into important conversations about the legacy of the individuals enslaved at Highland. We can do these things because of your support.