Like Goldilocks, we’ve searched various cities trying to find the right fit for our family. And Charlottesville feels juuuust right! We love the combination of big enough for resources, art and entertainment but small enough to feel like a cozy town. And nothing demonstrates this more than the Albemarle County Fair held at James Monroe’s Highland.
This fair is nothing like big state fairs you may have been to, or seen advertised. No “put up/tear down” movable rides with flashing lights and questionable safety standards. No booths with hawkers begging you to pay $5 to try to win a gigantic stuffed panda. No fried Oreos or fried Twinkies.
The Albemarle County Fair is truly what a fair is all about at its core: a celebration of the arts, crafts and agriculture of a community.
Albemarle County itself was founded in 1744, but the Fair website says it wasn’t launched until 1982. I am inclined to believe there was some agrarian gathering of community members for years prior, but things really stand out with the modern version of the Albemarle County Fair.
We loved the fact that this is easily accessible, not at all expensive, and wholesome fun. We watched 4-H members and other teenagers showing their well-tended to and groomed livestock. We walked around and held baby chicks, looked at the wide variety of chickens, touched baby bunnies, and rubbed the heads of some goats. Watching the livestock judging as well as the ability of the youth to handle their animals (some of them quite large!) was so fun. I have always admired those who have the skill sets and knowledge to know how the land and how the animals work – and those who hold the knowledge of how we can live in relationship with them both. There is something so beautiful in that ability to cultivate that which has sustained humanity for centuries. And it’s wonderful to see it celebrated.
There were activities for the kids: a beekeeper giving live demonstrations, a caricature artist, marbleized paint techniques, a pony to ride and a small makeshift train good for smaller kids.
Under a big tent live music was being performed and we were able to purchase some food and lemonade from the vendors. There were additional games around for families, including corn hole. And this was not at all crowded, so kids (especially those there all day as part of the actual fair competitions and presentations) had some considerable freedom to run and exercise independence. As we lounged in the July open air as the sun started to set, we felt truly at peace with the land, its rhythms, and all it provides.
There was also an arts & crafts judged show as well as prized vegetables and flowers. Truly, it felt like a wonderful celebration of our land and a nod at generations past that kept us surviving and innovating.
The Albemarle County Fair was also a great excuse for us to finally visit James Monroe’s Highland.
Monroe is another of the major players when it comes to the creation of these United States. A look at his biography is overwhelming and stunning. A lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, a student of law alongside Jefferson (who he became lifelong friends with), member of the Virginia General Assembly, minister to France, England and Spain through his career, Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State for Madison, as well as Secretary of War. He was particularly proud of his negotiation of the Louisiana Purchase. Eventually, Monroe was President of the United States.
Of course, like Jefferson and Madison, Monroe kept slaves and wrestled with that. He founded Liberia (which had its capital named Monrovia in his honor), setting up centuries of struggle and strife. Monroe also kept slaves to manage his property. These are things that simply cannot be forgotten, as we take in the totality of the man who left a legacy and a sizable chunk of land behind.
Monroe was persuaded to buy the land “adjacent to” Monticello (that cracks me up, since with my neighbors I am “adjacent to” today in 2020 I can SEE IN THEIR LIVING ROOM from inside my home). Monroe originally bought 1,000 acres, lived in a fairly small house, but continued to grow and purchase and add. Highland ended up being 3,500 acres at one point, and the house he continued to add on to over the course of 16 years.
Alas, like a few of the Founding Fathers trying to maintain these large plantations, he eventually had to sell it all to pay off his debt. The house was sold multiple times throughout its history, until eventually a philanthropist bought it in 1930 and started offering tours. When that gentleman died in 1974, he willed Highland to Monroe’s alma mater, the College of William & Mary, who owns it today.
Because of its multiple private owners, preservation of the estate has not been great. In fact, there is discussion about whether what stands is even Monroe’s original house or just a guest house. And very little of the house that is on the site today is available for touring. But this makes for a great contrast in experience to tours like Monticello and Montpelier. We loved this!
And given that Monroe spent much of his public life celebrating the industriousness of the American farmer and craftsmen, it seems fitting that the fair should be held here.
The grounds of Highland are phenomenal, We hope to go back one day (soon!) to hike and explore more on foot.
But after our afternoon at the Fair, our kids were ready to take their balloons and, shouting animals noises at the top of their lungs, run through the fields that once upon a time yielded harvest.
More on the Albemarle County Fair and Monroe's Highland:
- Usually held for 1 week in July each year at Monroe’s Highland
- Admission is $5 for everyone 6 & over, free for kids under 6
- Albemarle County Fair website
- James Monroe’s Highland website
Raising Charlottesville is a website dedicated to highlighting fun & local activities for families living in the Charlottesville, VA area.