At Virginia home of President Monroe, a sizable revision of history

It turns out that the home preserved on the estate — and marketed for years as the residence where the president laid his head — is in fact a guest quarters. Instead, an archaeological dig on the grounds has revealed a sizable home more than twice the size of the small cottage.

In other words, the home of Monroe was more castle than cabin and likely “in the same order of magnitude” of Jefferson’s Monticello, said Sara Bon-Harper, executive director of Highland, the 535-acre property owned by the College of William and Mary.

The revelation stunned the historians and archaeologists who operate the home.

“What else haven’t we realized?” Bon-Harper said. “We really need to rethink it now.”