James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library

James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library is at 908 Charles St. Monroe owned this property 1786-92 and probably used it while practicing law as a young attorney in Fredericksburg. The museum contains what is said to be the largest collection of Monroe-related material in the country, including belongings of President and Mrs. Monroe and the Louis XVI furniture they bought in Paris when he was minister to France 1794-97.

The collection includes the desk on which Monroe prepared his 1823 address to Congress, portions of which became known as the Monroe Doctrine. Also displayed are the jewelry and personal effects of Monroe's wife, Elizabeth. A library contains historical manuscripts relating to the president and his era. A bronze bust of the fifth president is in the walled garden.