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Secondary sourceSculpture22 April 2023

Statue of James Monroe at Highland

22 April 2023

A modern photograph of a 2023 statue of James Monroe standing in the garden of his former home, Highland, in Virginia.

A recent statue commemorating Monroe at his home Highland, reflecting modern memory of his legacy.

A light gray stone statue of James Monroe stands on a tall cylindrical pedestal inscribed JAMES MONROE 1758-1831. He wears a long coat, waistcoat, breeches and boots, and holds a tricorn hat in his left hand while his right arm extends outward. Green trees and shrubs surround it.
Statue of James Monroe, Highland, Albemarle County, Virginia, 2023. Photograph by Jameskincaid.

About this source

What it is

This is a photograph of a stone statue of James Monroe, created in 2023, standing on a pedestal inscribed with his name and life dates in a garden at the entrance to Highland, his historic home in Albemarle County, Virginia. The statue shows Monroe in period clothing, holding a hat, with one arm extended.

Why it matters

This statue is a recent addition meant to honour Monroe at the site most closely associated with his private life after his presidency. It reflects how historic homes continue to commemorate the people who lived there, long after the fact, shaping how visitors imagine the past.

Look closer

  • What choices did the sculptor make about Monroe's pose and clothing, and what impression do they create?
  • Why might Highland's owners choose to add a new statue in 2023 rather than earlier?
  • How might a statue like this differ from a portrait made during Monroe's own lifetime?

This sculpture is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James Monroe on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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