GRANDOPENING CEREMONY OF BIRTHPLACE HOUSE OF JAMES MONROE

We are pleased to report that that James Monroe Birthplace House and nearby Visitor Center are now open for the 2021 summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day on weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). 
You may recall that the reconstructed Birthplace House was substantially completed in spring 2020, but COVID-19 restrictions kept it from formally opening last summer. The additional time has allowed us to put more finishing details on the Birthplace House to meet Colonial Williamsburg recommendations.  Of course, there are and will continue to be further improvements to be made, as there would be in any historic house reconstruction . 
While we hope that you will visit the Birthplace House on a weekend this summer (4460 James Monroe Highway, Colonial Beach, VA - on Route 205 just south of Colonial Beach), we want to announce a "Grand Opening Ceremony" for Saturday, October 2, 2021. 
Please ask your members and friends to save that date, when we hope you will be able to join us. 
While we will provide more details later, we anticipate that there will be a wreath-laying ceremony and program at 10:30 a.m., with tours of the Birthplace House after that until 4:00 p.m. 
October 2, 2021 is a good midpoint between the 245th anniversaries of the Battle of Harlem Heights and the Battle of White Plains, in which Lt. James Monroe and the Third Virginia Regiment bravely served. 
Please remember that President Monroe was the only President besides George Washington to have actively served in the regular army during the Revolutionary War, participating in six major battles (as well as wintering at Valley Forge, crossing the Delaware with George Washington, being seriously wounded at Trenton and cited for conspicuous bravery) and subsequently served simultaneously as Secretary of War and Secretary of State (during the War of 1812, when he helped coordinate American defenses against the British).  He was also an active participant in our first American lineage society, the Society of the Cincinnati. 
Please RSVP to me (pbroadbntcbl aw.com, 804-697-4109) if you are planning to present a wreath at the October 2 Grand Opening. You will need to RSVP by Monday, September 20 to be included in any printed programs for the event. 
We hope that you will be able to participate with us in this commemoration to celebrate the reconstruction of the 1758 Birthplace House and to emphasize the role of this great Virginian and Founding Father in establishing our country, and its system of government and values. 
Thank you for the many ways you have helped us over the years. We appreciate your steadfast support, more than we are able to tell you. 
Please pass this letter along to any of your current state or local Society representatives who may be able to attend.
 
Sincerely,
 
                    

G. William Thomas, Jr. President

Peter E. Broadbent, Jr. Vice President