Virginia
Three Friends: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe
Program No. 9113RJ
Dive into history as you explore the legacies of three early American presidents, discovering historic architecture, period music, stunning artwork and a living-history presentation.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Not seeing the date you're looking for?
To be notified if dates of this program become available, click the button below.
This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
4 days
3 nights
8 meals
3B 2L 3D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Three Presidents
Charlottesville
2
Noble Triumvirate, Montpelier, Highland, Enslaved Families
Charlottesville
3
Plantation Community, UVA, Monticello, Period Music
Charlottesville
4
Silent Voices: Women, Slaves, Free Blacks, Meet Col. Monroe
Charlottesville
At a Glance
Explore the friendship among three U.S. presidents — Jefferson, Madison, Monroe — as you journey back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the time when these great men lived, worked, laughed and loved. Learn about their personal stories and the historic events that drew them together, explore their views on contemporary issues such as religion and slavery and delve into the lasting contributions each made to our nation.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day; some uneven terrain and stairs.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Visit the historic homes of these American patriarchs — Jefferson's Monticello, Monroe's Highland and Madison's Montpelier.
- Investigate the connection between Jefferson's educational vision and design of his university while strolling the grounds with an expert.
- Enjoy an evening of music from the period in which these men lived, and meet one of them in an interactive living-history presentation.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Dennis Bigelow
For more than a decade, Dennis Bigelow has interpreted the character of President James Monroe for the College of William & Mary at Highland, Monroe's home in Albemarle County, Virginia. He has performed at the White House, Colonial Williamsburg, the Virginia State House, the National Archives, the Smithsonian, and other venues. He shares ancestral grandparents with Thomas Jefferson through the Randolph family as well as Chief Justice John Marshall, a great friend of Monroe and a maternal ancestral uncle.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Dennis Bigelow
View biography
For more than a decade, Dennis Bigelow has interpreted the character of President James Monroe for the College of William & Mary at Highland, Monroe's home in Albemarle County, Virginia. He has performed at the White House, Colonial Williamsburg, the Virginia State House, the National Archives, the Smithsonian, and other venues. He shares ancestral grandparents with Thomas Jefferson through the Randolph family as well as Chief Justice John Marshall, a great friend of Monroe and a maternal ancestral uncle.
Miranda Burnett
View biography
Miranda Burnett, research librarian for the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, received an MA in French from the University of South Carolina, and — after teaching high school French and Latin for a few years — earned an MS in library and information science at FSU. She moved to the Charlottesville area in 2008, becoming involved with the Scottsville Museum. She joined JMRL in 2016 as a substitute reference librarian, moving to Northside Library as a reference librarian in 2017 before accepting the position of historical collections librarian.
Gaye S. Wilson
View biography
Gaye Wilson is a senior fellow with the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies, the academic branch of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello. Over 25 years, she has researched, written, and published papers on Jefferson's America and the times and the people involved in the founding of the early American republic. Her latest book, 'Jefferson on Display: Attire, Etiquette, and the Art of Presentation,' was published by the University of Virginia Press in 2018.
Su Tarr
View biography
Su Tarr's musical talents have been obvious from childhood when she won a concerto competition at the age of 9 and played with the Cleveland Symphony. As an adult, she has played in the Charleston, Huntington (WVA), and Richmond Symphonies. Su has been a balladeer in Colonial Williamsburg since 1997. She is well known in Virginia as a singer and fiddler for Southern Horizon, a group which performs music of the American Civil War. Altogether, Su has been performing for over 42 years.
Bethany McGlyn
View biography
Bethany McGlyn is a Ph.D. student and Jefferson Scholars Foundation Fellow at the University of Virginia studying slavery, craft labor, and material culture in the 18th-century American South and Atlantic World. She holds an M.A. from the University of Delaware's Winterthur Program in American Material Culture and has worked in curatorial departments at Historic Rock Ford, Historic Annapolis, the National Parks Service, and Winterthur.
Holly Good
View biography
Holly Good graduated from the UVA School of Architecture with her bachelor's and master's in architectural history in 2018 and 2019, respectively. She focused on historic preservation and vernacular architecture. During that time, she interned with the Historic Preservation department and had the pleasure of working on the Rotunda renovation. Since graduation, she has consulted for 106 Group, a cultural resources firm. Currently, she stays home with her two small children, with the occasional consultation.
Suggested Reading List
(18 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Three Friends: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe
Program Number: 9113
James Madison: A Biography
Jefferson and Monticello: Biography of a Builder
Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy.
The Jeffersonians: The Visionary Presidencies of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe
In Pursuit of Reason: The Life of Thomas Jefferson.
James Madison and the Creation of the American Republic.
A Slave in the White House: Paul Jennings and the Madisons
Thomas Jefferson: Writings: Autobiography/Notes of the State of Virginia/Public and Private Papers/Addresses/Letters.
The Jefferson Hour
James Monroe: A Life
The Evolution of the Constitution of the United States of America and History of the Monroe Doctrine
The Republic of Letters: The Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
Slavery at Monticello.
Jefferson on Display: Attire, Etiquette, and the Art of Presentation
James Madison: Writings.
The Political Philosophy of James Madison
American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson
American Slavery, American Freedom: The Ordeal of Colonial Virginia
Program
At a Glance
Duration
4 days
Program Begins
Charlottesville
Program Concludes
Charlottesville
Meals
8
| 3B |
2L |
3D |
Activity Level
Explore the friendship among three U.S. presidents — Jefferson, Madison, Monroe — as you journey back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the time when these great men lived, worked, laughed and loved. Learn about their personal stories and the historic events that drew them together, explore their views on contemporary issues such as religion and slavery and delve into the lasting contributions each made to our nation.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Visit the historic homes of these American patriarchs — Jefferson's Monticello, Monroe's Highland and Madison's Montpelier.
- Investigate the connection between Jefferson's educational vision and design of his university while strolling the grounds with an expert.
- Enjoy an evening of music from the period in which these men lived, and meet one of them in an interactive living-history presentation.
Featured Expert
Dennis Bigelow
For more than a decade, Dennis Bigelow has interpreted the character of President James Monroe for the College of William & Mary at Highland, Monroe's home in Albemarle County, Virginia. He has performed at the White House, Colonial Williamsburg, the Virginia State House, the National Archives, the Smithsonian, and other venues. He shares ancestral grandparents with Thomas Jefferson through the Randolph family as well as Chief Justice John Marshall, a great friend of Monroe and a maternal ancestral uncle.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Miranda Burnett
Miranda Burnett, research librarian for the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, received an MA in French from the University of South Carolina, and — after teaching high school French and Latin for a few years — earned an MS in library and information science at FSU. She moved to the Charlottesville area in 2008, becoming involved with the Scottsville Museum. She joined JMRL in 2016 as a substitute reference librarian, moving to Northside Library as a reference librarian in 2017 before accepting the position of historical collections librarian.
Gaye S. Wilson
Gaye Wilson is a senior fellow with the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies, the academic branch of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello. Over 25 years, she has researched, written, and published papers on Jefferson's America and the times and the people involved in the founding of the early American republic. Her latest book, 'Jefferson on Display: Attire, Etiquette, and the Art of Presentation,' was published by the University of Virginia Press in 2018.
Su Tarr
Su Tarr's musical talents have been obvious from childhood when she won a concerto competition at the age of 9 and played with the Cleveland Symphony. As an adult, she has played in the Charleston, Huntington (WVA), and Richmond Symphonies. Su has been a balladeer in Colonial Williamsburg since 1997. She is well known in Virginia as a singer and fiddler for Southern Horizon, a group which performs music of the American Civil War. Altogether, Su has been performing for over 42 years.
Bethany McGlyn
Bethany McGlyn is a Ph.D. student and Jefferson Scholars Foundation Fellow at the University of Virginia studying slavery, craft labor, and material culture in the 18th-century American South and Atlantic World. She holds an M.A. from the University of Delaware's Winterthur Program in American Material Culture and has worked in curatorial departments at Historic Rock Ford, Historic Annapolis, the National Parks Service, and Winterthur.
Holly Good
Holly Good graduated from the UVA School of Architecture with her bachelor's and master's in architectural history in 2018 and 2019, respectively. She focused on historic preservation and vernacular architecture. During that time, she interned with the Historic Preservation department and had the pleasure of working on the Rotunda renovation. Since graduation, she has consulted for 106 Group, a cultural resources firm. Currently, she stays home with her two small children, with the occasional consultation.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day; some uneven terrain and stairs.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(18 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
4 days
3 nights
What's Included
8 meals | 3B | 2L | 3D |
5 expert-led lectures
4 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
3 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Three Presidents
Location:
Charlottesville
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Charlottesville
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any up-updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Your program materials will be sent to you a few days before the program, digitally, through your roadscholar.org account. This includes your program itinerary, any related handouts, and restaurant/free time suggestions. Please plan to print them out and bring along to the program, utilize the hotel’s business center to access them, or view them on your own personal electronic device. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In a private dining room at the hotel.
Evening:
With a local expert, we will get a lively and detailed introduction to three Presidents from Virginia: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. We’ll learn fascinating details of their public and private lives as well as their friendships and their world. We’ll also examine the activities and contributions of the “Founding Fathers” to America from the colonial era through the Revolutionary War, and development of the young republic from the Constitution to the Monroe Doctrine.
Day
2
Noble Triumvirate, Montpelier, Highland, Enslaved Families
Location:
Charlottesville
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Charlottesville
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 70 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 1 mile and standing for considerable periods; second floor of Montpelier reachable only by stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather for a lecture by a published expert on the social order and lifestyles of Virginia’s landed gentry — including our three Presidents — and “a society to our taste.” We’ll learn about life on plantations and estates far from the colonial hub of Williamsburg, Jefferson’s conceptions of the ideal society, and how he encouraged and supported his friends in joining that rare circle. Next, we will board our motorcoach and ride to Montpelier, home of James and Dolly Madison. Our field trip will include a special presentation on highlights of Montpelier and an expert-led walk of about an hour with a lot of standing time through select rooms of the restored mansion and grounds. Montpelier was owned by the Madison family for more than 120 years. We will learn about the three stages of construction during their tenure as well as various renovations completed by succeeding owners, including the du Pont family. The restoration of the house itself took place from 2003 to 2008, and efforts are now underway to furnish it to reflect its occupation by James and Dolly Madison after his retirement from the Presidency. As the second floor is reachable only by stairs, the Education Center provides an alternative for those preferring something less physically demanding.
Lunch:
At the Visitor Center’s Courtyard Café adjacent to the du Pont Gallery, we’ll have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will have free time for a self-guided exploration of the Education Center, grounds and Visitor Center. Next, we will drive through the Piedmont countryside to Highland, home of James Monroe. This small dwelling is an interesting contrast to the stately mansions of Monroe's friends and neighbors. Recent archaeology has determined that the current structure was a guest residence and that Monroe's home was a much larger nearby building that no longer exists. Information on these finds will be provided during the visit. Discover how the existing house has evolved through the centuries with different owners. Explore the elegantly furnished rooms of this guest cottage, including the study and children's room added during the tenure of the Monroes on the plantation from 1799-1828. Stroll the grounds to see the gardens, reconstructed slave quarters, and original Overseer's Cottage while taking in the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
With the Albemarle County Historical Society, we'll take a closer look at the lives of the enslaved families who labored on James Monroe's Highland estate, their eventual sale and forced relocation to Casa Bianca in central Florida, and the two communities which sprang from their descendants.
Day
3
Plantation Community, UVA, Monticello, Period Music
Location:
Charlottesville
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Charlottesville
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 16 miles, approximately 45 minutes riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; paved walkways, dirt paths, stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather for a lecture on the self-contained world of plantation life, where a few lived in comfort supported by the many who labored in the fields and homes under the yoke of slavery. To separate fact from fiction, romanticized mythology from reality, a local expert will discuss issues such as family life, education, leisure, and other aspects of the parallel cultures on the plantation. We will also gain a sense of the contrasts between this elaborate and complicated lifestyle and the much simpler homesteads maintained by the vast majority of early American farmers. We will also have an illustrated overview of the University of Virginia (UVA), which, along with Monticello, is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Next, we will board a motorcoach for a field trip to UVA, founded by Jefferson in 1819. He considered the creation of this “academical village” one of his greatest achievements. Led by an expert, we’ll walk through the grounds to observe the impressive Rotunda and Lawn, both designed by Jefferson. We’ll grasp Jefferson’s vision of higher education as it unfolds in the layout of the classroom and residential buildings, student housing on the Lawn and Ranges, still in use today. We’ll also take in the gardens, serpentine wall, and pavilions, all part of Jefferson’s design and a model for university design throughout the country. The UVA field trip includes an extended walk on the grounds that are terraced with steps between levels. Participants who do not want to negotiate the steps can explore the top terrace around the Rotunda until the walk concludes. At the conclusion of our exploration, we will ride to Monticello.
Lunch:
At Monticello, we will have box lunches. You may sit indoors or outdoors (weather permitting) with views of the surrounding forest.
Afternoon:
If you knew nothing else about Jefferson and then visited Monticello, you would recognize the man as a genius. The house and gardens were designed, redesigned, built, and rebuilt over more than 40 years. Today, it is considered an “autobiographical masterpiece.” Led by an expert, we will walk through this exceptional mansion and see the architecture Jefferson favored as well as some of the many innovative contrivances he devised. The furnishings, art, books, gadgets, and objects such as the 7-day clock and the alcove bed, reveal Jefferson’s unique and inquiring mind. It is astonishing to comprehend that one man conceived all of this. Leaving the house, we will have some time for independent exploration to walk through the extensive kitchen and ornamental gardens as well as experience the Mulberry Row tour where you can hear about the lives of some of the enslaved peoples and families. On the way back down from the hilltop, you will be able to observe the Jefferson family cemetery where we can see what he had carved onto his memorial stone. Upon return to the hotel via motorcoach, we will delight in a lively performance featuring "Violins and Fiddles". A talented musician will not only demonstrate the differing personalities of this single instrument, but will provide an informative commentary on music of the eighteenth century.
Dinner:
At a restaurant a short walk from the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Silent Voices: Women, Slaves, Free Blacks, Meet Col. Monroe
Location:
Charlottesville
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We have libraries full of information on the Founding Fathers, but society could not have functioned without those about whom early American history is largely silent. We’ll learn about women whose support was crucial to the social structure, slaves whose labor built an agrarian society, and free people of color who struggled to establish their place in a new nation that had declared “all men are created equal.” Rounding out our experience, we will “meet” Colonel Monroe himself during a unique, interactive conversation with a knowledgeable and talented historical interpreter as James Monroe. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.
MEALS
8 Meals
3 Breakfasts
2 Lunches
3 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 24, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025
- Apr 13, 2025 - Apr 16, 2025
- Apr 25, 2025 - Apr 28, 2025
- May 25, 2025 - May 28, 2025
- Jun 13, 2025 - Jun 16, 2025
- Aug 24, 2025 - Aug 27, 2025
- Sep 12, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025
- Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 15, 2025
- Oct 24, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 27 Reviews
Sort By:
Great educational and travel opportunity.
Extremely well organized!
— Review left October 15, 2024
This program offers a deeper understanding of the three presidents, their lives, their interactions among themselves and their impact upon the creation of the USA. Well worth the time and cost. I highly recommend it.
— Review left September 26, 2024
The program was rich, informative and well-organized. It gave me an opportunity to see for the first time the closely intertwined relationships of three presidents who helped shape our nation in its early years. Never having visited these presidential sites, I gained from this direct experience.
Eileen Wells assembled an interesting program and gave it a friendly welcoming face.
I personally profited from having read (via audiobook) important biographies of these three men before embarking on the trip:
• Jon Meacham, Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power
• Noah Feldman, The Three Lives of James Madison
• Tim McGrath, James Monroe
These recommended readings provided much-needed background and context for the lives, interactions and achievements of these Founders, well beyond what I knew about this era of American history.
I believe the program could benefit from greater interaction between the presenters and participants in the form of discussion and questions and answers integrated into the body of the presentations and not limited to the end of the session. The schedule could be expanded in this regard.
The live performances of period music and of James Monroe were superb and pleasingly interactive.
Additional opportunities for discussion of sensitive and contentious issues, above all slavery, would be welcomed, at least by the group I was in. I recognize that this would require deftness to avoid rancor, but also sensed that the program has in recent years increasingly welcomed discussion of such topics. Keep this initiative going.
In short, this is an excellent and thought provoking program, well worthy of consideration.
— Review left September 3, 2024
While Road Scholar offers an abundance of top-notch programs, this one is exceptional. It takes the U.S. History that you may have learned in high school and adds the depth, personalities and connections that shaped our country in its formative years following the American Revolution. Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, three distinct, great men who had the vision of the Enlightenment and were instrumental in shaping the reality. Through talks and visits to their houses, the group learns the about political and social issues of that time and how the friendship and respect of the men intertwined in the political sphere. The information also includes the history of the women and the enslaved men and women who labors helped produce the wealth these men needed to be able to serve as Presidents 3,4 & 5. The visits to Montpelier (Madison) Hilltop (Monroe) and Monticello (Jefferson) further explore the extraordinary lives and times of the early 1800's. Not to be missed, on the final day, President Monroe visits the group and holds a private audience in which he discusses his life and answers questions. If the program were just visits to the presidential homes and the University of Virginia, the program would be worth the trip. Adding the historical context through the lectures/talks adds the perspective of the issues of that day and how they still affect our present day. The leader is excellent in keeping the group informed and making the experience enjoyable. This is yet another Road Scholar program designed for curious, energetic adults who seek to wed education with on the road experiences. It's a short; it is exceptional; it is well worth exploring.
— Review left August 29, 2024
A busy program, very informative. Visits to the Presidents' homes and discussion of their interaction with one another were really helpful in putting the program in context. U VA tour was a real plus.
— Review left August 29, 2024
This was a fantastic program! Great educational content in a very interesting & beautiful place! Monticello, Montpelier, and Highlands are testaments to our Founding Fathers and their resilience & ingenuity. I thoroughly enjoyed the program and the various instructors! Do this program & learn more that you thought you could.
— Review left June 23, 2024
Go on this program, it is informative and educational and interesting. Loved it!
— Review left June 22, 2024
A perfect American history program to learn and enjoy!
— Review left May 20, 2024
Besides visiting the presidents' homes, the lectures provided both before and after our visits were outstanding, adding much more dimension to the experience.
— Review left September 21, 2023
"Three Friends" in Charlottesville is a program over a long weekend about three important Founding Father Presidents who have homes nearby to visit. Speakers and performers were very qualified, interesting and thought-provoking. Stay for the President Monroe re-enactor on the last day as he is worth waiting for. Hyatt Place is a nice hotel, but is outside of town and requires either a car or city bus rides (which I did--download the "SPOT" app.) Am very glad I spent my last night at The Graduate hotel near the Jefferson Rotunda as it is near the campus of UVA and historic sites and has lots of restaurants nearby. The UVA buses and the city trolleys are easier than the city buses. The Downtown Transit Station is not where you want to spend much time. The downtown pedestrian mall nearby is worth a walk and has restaurants there, also.
— Review left September 14, 2023
Fascinating but very intense!
— Review left June 1, 2023
This program was packed with wonderful information! Great Value!
— Review left May 31, 2023
*****
The "Three Friends: program packed a tremendous amount of material into a compact, well-organized program in beautiful Charlottesville, Virginia. The presenters and the sites added depth to the ongoing evaluation of the American experience. And the gorgeous April weather didn't hurt!
— Review left April 26, 2023
Another wonderful Road Scholar program. Kudos to Eileen West for keeping us organized and on time. She was a very gracious and knowledgeable guide. All the guest speakers were highly educated in their subjects and allowed time for questions and answers. The field trips provided further insight into the lives of these “Three Friends.” I am now left with a thirst to to learn more about our Founding Fathers.
— Review left April 20, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed my first Road Scholar adventure. I learned so much, met interesting people and was able to relax as all the details were handled. I will definitely travel with Road Scholar again!
— Review left April 20, 2023
If you love to study American history and want to go to a beautiful state, then you’ll love this program. It is a perfect mix of lecture, tours, and surprises that will keep you entertained and learning for four full days.
— Review left October 24, 2022
Three friends was a great trip. The program was interesting and informative but would have been better as a longer trip. I would have loved to spend more time at all the presidential houses. There is so much to see. The evening programs added so much to the overall experience. Loved them all!
Eileen was an excellent group leader - knowledgeable and professional! She was a great source of information! It was a big group but Eileen kept us moving through the itinerary very efficiently while not seeming rushed.
I highly recommend it for anyone interested in presidential or colonial history
— Review left October 10, 2022
Very good program, you learn without being overly strenuous, enjoyable historic sites and nice people.
— Review left June 25, 2022
This program is rich in eye-opening content. You will come away with a new understanding of the role of enslaved workers in the lives of three early presidents and their families as well as of the roles and limitations of women in their lives. In less than three days, you have the opportunity to visit four historic sites with knowledgable guides, augmented with informative lectures. Anyone who is curious about the role of the slave economy in the lives of the founders of the United States will benefit from this tour.
— Review left June 23, 2022
Fascinating trip. Great leader. Hyatt beautiful hotel.
— Review left June 21, 2022
I got a glimpse of all the history Virginia has to offer...and, of course, I want to go back and see more. It was the first time I was so close to the history of slavery and I found myself balancing my love and respect for Jefferson, Madison and Monroe with the hate slavery brings into my thoughts. Seeing Monticello was inspiring and I think I could sit on the grounds all day long. I also saw a small archaeological dig going on there and got to stop and talk to the young people working the site... The group was great, the speakers awesome, and Eileen was everything I could want in a group leader: Nice, but firm; approachable and knowledgeable. I just wish the trip was longer....
— Review left May 17, 2022
Great introduction to Road Scholar tours.
Knowledgeable, enthusiastic tour leaders.
Well organized tour
Learned so many new things!
— Review left April 21, 2022
You cannot ask for a best overview of the subject or better people to show you around. This was an excellent program and exceptionally well run.
— Review left November 8, 2021
We participated in our first Road Scholar experience in November of 2021. We very much enjoyed this adventure, and look forward to doing it again, soon. It is an excellent way to visit and learn about a place, at a very attractive cost. Mike and Vicki
— Review left November 3, 2021
If you love understanding how 3 dynamic men were instrumental in shaping the early history of our country, you will really enjoy this program! You'll get both the inside look into their lives as well as the sacrifices each man made.
— Review left November 3, 2021
This program, although short, was jam packed with interesting lectures and presentations as well as wonderful visits to the ‘Three Friends Homes’. Our guide/coordinator Marina was friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. Great trip!
— Review left June 5, 2019
We have attended this program twice and highly recommend it to any likewise interested people. Only a few programs have we repeated but this is a must for us
— Review left May 14, 2019
