• James Monroe
    Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    portrait
    engraving
    This engraving of President James Monroe was produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. President Monroe served in the United States Senate and held multiple cabinet positions prior to being elected president. He served as president for two terms, from March 4, 1817 until March 4, 1825.
  • Page from L'art du Brodeur
    Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin
    fashion
    book
    This is a page from Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin's work "L'art du Bordeur." Charles-Germain de Saint-Aubin was King Louis XV’s official designer of embroideries. The illustration at the top of the page depicts embroiderers working on ecclesiastical garments, but hanging on the wall is a man’s coat or waistcoat, stretched and ready to be ornamented.
  • Forecourt of the Folie de la Bouëxière
    Guillaume-Martin Couture
    drawings & plans
    This is an ink and gouache depiction of the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. This representation highlights the unique, off-set approach to the estate, which appeared suddenly at the end of a long road lined with trees instead of at a more common straight axis. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Detail Des Nouveaux Jardins à la Mode
    Georges-Louis Le Rouge
    drawings & plans
    This plan was published by Georges-Louis Le Rouge around 1773-1777. The plan shows the large and impressive gardens at the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Plan du Bel-Étage du Pavillon de Labossiere.
    Georges-Louis Le Rouge
    drawings & plans
    This plan was published by Georges-Louis Le Rouge around 1773-1777. The plan shows the main floor at the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. The floor plan, with oval, round, and octagonal shaped rooms, is designed for entertaining and receptions, not the day to day family life of that time. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Plan du Rez de Chaussée du Pavillion de Labossiere
    Georges-Louis Le Rouge
    drawings & plans
    This plan was published by Georges-Louis Le Rouge around 1773-1777. The plan shows the ground floor at the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. The floor plan shows how the ground floor was utilitzed to prepare food and service in its functional, utilitarian rooms. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • View of the Folie de la Bouëxière
    Guillaume-Martin Couture
    drawings & plans
    This is an ink and gouache depiction of the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. This representation highlights the gardens and slopes used to keep the estate private for its residents. Berms and banks were used on the east and west sides to conceal the estate. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Garden Front of the Folie de la Bouëxière
    Guillaume-Martin Couture
    drawings & plans
    This is an ink and gouache depiction of the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. This representation highlights the south front of the estate, with its rows of French doors leading from the large salon inside out onto the terrace and the gardens beyond. Atop the estate is a rooftop tent, used for dinners and afternoon teas. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Forecourt of the Folie de la Bouëxière
    Guillaume-Martin Couture
    drawings & plans
    This is an ink and gouache depiction of the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. This representation highlights the unique, off-set approach to the estate, which appeared suddenly at the end of a long road lined with trees instead of at a more common straight axis. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Key to the President's House
    Unknown
    key
    According to Monroe family legend, this key unlocked the front door to the President's House and was given to President James Monroe by White House staff in 1825 when he left office. It is part of the collection at the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
  • Architectural Plan of the Folie de la Bouëxière
    Pierre Nicolas Ransonnette
    J. Ch. Krafft
    drawings & plans
    This floor plan was published in a book of architectural plans by Jean-Charles Krafft and Pierre Nicolas Ransonnette. The plan shows the main floor at the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Young James Monroe
    Louis Sené
    portrait
    This miniature is the earliest known portrait of future president James Monroe. It was painted with watercolor on ivory by French artist Louis Sené while Monroe served as the United States Minister to France. It was made to complement a contemporary miniature of Monroe's wife, Elizabeth.
  • Monroe Gold and Blue Topaz Necklace
    Unknown 
    fashion 
    jewelry 
    This blue topaz and gold necklace was purchased by future president James Monroe for his wife, Elizabeth, during his second diplomatic mission to France. The simple but elegant pieces complimented the neoclassical fashions of the period, while conveying the wearer's wealth and high social status.
  • Monroe Two-Corner Bicorn Hat 
    Unknown
    fashion
    hat
    This is the two corner bicorn hat future president James Monroe purchased during his second diplomatic mission to France. The hat is made of felt covered in beaver fur, and trimmed with silk. In addition to his diplomatic missions to the country, Monroe also served as the United States Minister to France during George Washington's administration. This hat is part of the collection at the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
  • James Monroe's French Cockade
    Unknown
    textile
    This cockade - a knot of ribbon worn on a hat, typically as part of a uniform or badge of office - belonged to future president James Monroe. He acquired it in France while he served as United States minister there. It demonstrated his support for the French Revolution. Monroe served as minister in France during two presidential administrations, Washington and Jefferson.
  • Elizabeth Monroe's Shoes
    Unknown
    fashion
    shoes
    These elegant women's shoes belonged to future first lady Elizabeth Monroe. They were made of embroidered silk, linen, and goat skin. Mrs. Monroe likely would have acquired them during her husband's residency as United States Minister to France.
  • James Monroe
    Unknown
    sculpture
    This ivory sculpture of is President James Monroe. This sculpture was made by an unknown artist around the late 19th century. Prior to his presidency, Monroe served in the United States Senate for the Commonwealth of Virginia and as secretary of state and secretary of war during the administration of President James Madison. He was the fifth president of the United States, serving from 1817 to 1825.
  • Elizabeth Monroe's Amethyst and Gold Tiara
    Unknown
    fashion
    jewelry
    This amethyst and gold tiara was purchased by James Monroe for his wife Elizabeth during his second diplomatic mission to France.The top crescent holds 21 oval amethysts ranging in size from approximately two carats to eight carats. The 36 amethysts along the second row range from .25 to 1 carats. The simple but elegant piece complimented the neoclassical fashions of the period, while conveying the wearer's wealth and high social status.The tiara is part of the collection at the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
  • West Side Cutaway of the Folie de la Bouëxière
    Unknown
    drawings & plans
    This drawing is a cutaway depiction of the west side of the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. This cutaway emphasizes the grandeur and scale of the main floor rooms, used by the Monroes to entertain, and the simplicity and utilitarian use of the ground floor rooms. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Elizabeth Monroe's Silk Velvet Gown 
    Unknown
    fashion
    dress
    textile
    This golden silk velvet gown was likely worn by future first lady Elizabeth Monroe to Napoleon's coronation in 1804. Mrs. Monroe may have accessorized the dress with elegant jewelry and a silk or cashmere shawl. Mrs. Monroe accompanied James Monroe on his second diplomatic mission to France during President Thomas Jefferson's administration.This gown is part of the collection at the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
  • Eliza Monroe
    Unknown
    First Family
    portrait
    This portrait by an unknown artist depicts Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, daughter of President James Monroe and First Lady Elizabeth Monroe. Eliza was their first child, and this portrait may have been done during her father's tenure as United States Minister to France.
  • Elizabeth Monroe's Silk Velvet Gown 
    Unknown
    fashion
    dress
    textile
    This golden silk velvet gown was likely worn by future first lady Elizabeth Monroe to Napoleon's coronation in 1804. Mrs. Monroe may have accessorized the dress with elegant jewelry and a silk or cashmere shawl. Mrs. Monroe accompanied James Monroe on his second diplomatic mission to France during President Thomas Jefferson's administration.
  • Méridionale and Septentrionale Facades of the Folie de la Bouëxiére
    Georges-Louis Le Rouge
    drawings & plans
    This drawing was done by Georges-Louis Le Rouge. The drawing shows the southern (méridionale) and northern (septentrionale) exterior facades of the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • South and East Cutaways of the Folie de la Bouëxière
    Georges-Louis Le Rouge
    drawings & plans
    This drawing was published by Georges-Louis Le Rouge. The drawing shows cutaway depictions of the south and east sides of the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Elizabeth Monroe
    Eben F. Comins
    portrait
    This is a reproduction of a portrait of Elizabeth Monroe attributed to John Vanderlyn. The reproduction was painted by Eben Farrington Comins. Monroe accompanied her husband James Monroe on trips to Europe while he was the U.S. Minister. On one trip, she played a role in saving the wife of the Marquis de Lafayette from being executed by guillotine. Her role as First Lady in the White House was limited by her ailments.