Mission

Highland's mission is to engage the public in learning about U.S. history through inclusive narratives of Highland and the people who lived on the property, with a focus on the period of James Monroe's ownership.

What We Do

We promote diverse narratives of Highland, including the histories of James Monroe and family, visitors, and the enslaved people who lived and worked there. Interpretation at Highland connects individuals' stories with the themes and events of U.S. history relevant to the years of Monroe's public career. Highland is distinguished by its joining of public and academic history and advancing this vision using new and traditional technology. Highland is uniquely placed to serve as a laboratory for creative public history as a division of William & Mary, an institution of higher education with a commitment to excellence in research and teaching at all levels and renowned doctoral programs in history, anthropology, and American studies.