This time, Virginia’s lawmakers are poised to make it happen. Last year, the plan to acquire Oak Hill, the Loudoun County home of President James Monroe, and make it a state park passed Virginia’s House of Delegates unanimously but died in a Senate committee. Now it has again passed the House unanimously.
This time, the Senate should join in taking advantage of this opportunity that would benefit the Loudoun County area, the commonwealth and, because of its historic significance, the United States. The plan is even more attractive now.
The legislature has reached this point via an unusual journey. Virginia, rich in American history, is known as the “Mother of Presidents” because it is the birthplace of eight of our country’s leaders. Four of the five first presidents were Virginia natives — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Monroe. Homes that belonged to three of those presidents are historic sites and museums.
Monroe is the only one without a home that’s open to the public. Fortunately, the DeLashmutt family, who owned Monroe’s home in Loudoun County for more than 75 years, appreciated the significance of the property and wanted it preserved for public use. They made a generous offer to sell the house and 1,200 acres to The Conservation Fund for $20 million, well below market value, so that organization could help the state acquire the property and make it a state park.
Last November, The Conservation Fund became the owners of Oak Hill.
The project has had strong support. Loudoun County contributed $22 million. State and federal grants have totaled more than $18 million. Private-sector donors have come up with at least $12 million. When the Conservation Fund and other supporters were hoping lawmakers would go along with the plan last year, they figured they had enough money to buy the property, open the park and keep it going for at least 10 years.
But the Senate committee turned it down, worried that it might require too much financial support in the future to maintain such a large, diverse property. The General Assembly rejected an amendment then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin added to the state budget authorizing the start of the park project.
This year, the plan includes a commitment that, into the future, none of the state’s general fund revenues will be used to acquire or maintain and operate the property as a park. A community support organization advisory board — including representatives of the state’s Historic Resources and Conservation and Recreation departments, Loudoun County and The Conservation Fund — will be responsible for maintaining the park. Representatives of organizations involved in conservation, educational and historic groups and philanthropists will be involved.
Let’s hope this plan succeeds. Oak Hill could be a great addition to Virginia’s already thriving state park system.
It will be an attractive addition to the commonwealth’s array of historic sites, which generate considerable tourism income. It is the home Monroe built during his presidency, the place where he drafted the Monroe Doctrine. The house has evidence of his relationship with the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette and his friendship with Jefferson. The estate also offers history about Native Americans, enslaved people and, later, tenant farmers, as well as Virginia’s agricultural heritage.
Then there’s the great outdoors. The sprawling estate offers possibilities for hiking and biking trails, plus an 11-acre pond for paddle boats and fishing. Tenant homes could be ranger residences and rental cabins.
It doesn’t hurt that his new park is within an hour’s drive for 30% of Virginia’s population.
Like our existing state parks, Oak Hill would be an economic asset for the region, creating job opportunities and income for local businesses.
With strong support, the planned advisory board should be able to keep the park thriving without needing financial help from the state’s general fund.
This is an opportunity too good to pass up, and likely one that’s not going to keep waiting indefinitely for action in Richmond. Lawmakers should gratefully approve the deal.
