Nothing in James Monroe’s upbringing indicated his latent taste in the decorative arts.
JM: Orphaned Boy
James Monroe (1758-1831), Virginia born to a middle class planting family, was orphaned by the time he was 16. Into that parentless breach stepped his prominent and benevolent uncle Joseph Jones, with no children of his own. He became in loco parentis for the rest of his life and duly sent him to the College of William and Mary. A year later, when the shots were fired at Lexington and Concord, MA, young James, along with his entire class, immediately rushed to enlist in the Virginia Volunteer Infantry.
He was tall, athletic, smart, brave, and a superb rider – talents that quickly came to the attention of his fellow Virginian, General George Washington, who commissioned him Lieutenant and utilized him regularly as a scout.
JM: Wounded Soldier
During the Battle of Trenton in December, 1776 (where the Hessians were surprised), Lt. Monroe fought well, but was badly wounded by a musket ball in the arm that severed an artery. Once recovered, he rejoined the Continentals, in time for action at Brandywine Creek, Valley Forge and Monmouth, and became Lt. Col. at twenty.
He returned to Virginia with a letter of commendation from General Washington and vague promises for monetary aid and a new regiment to command. Neither panned out. With a recommendation from his uncle, he met then-Governor Thomas Jefferson who liked young Monroe, urged him to read law, and became a friend for life.
“It’s Who You Know and Where You Go…”
With close acquaintance with several high-placed fellows, James Monroe’s rise in Virginia political/social circles was rapid. He was elected to the State Legislature and various other posts, including VA governor, and as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention.
In 1794, James Monroe was appointed (by GW) as Minister to France, serving in Paris during France’s Reign of Terror. His tenure lasted only two years, but in those dangerous and turbulent times, he a) “saved” the wife of the Marquis de Lafayette from the guillotine, and b) became enchanted with the best that Paris had to offer in the way of design and exquisite architecture, art and craft. And decor.
A later trip, this time to England, Spain, and more importantly, to France to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, further exposed the Monroes to the finest things in the Empire.
Collecting Stuff
The Monroes had purchased the estate now called Ashlawn-Highland in Albemarle Country, VA, only minutes (today) from Jefferson’s Monticello, and made it their permanent residence in 1799. Naturally, having seen the elegant taste of Monticello on numerous occasions, Monroe had developed a liking for the same.
He availed himself of the opportunity to purchase many fine pieces of furniture in Europe, many from the “old aristocracy.” His cordial acquaintance with Napoleon’s family (his young daughter Eliza was best friends with Josephine’s daughter Hortense), led to the acquisition of the finest quality items – and access to the expert tradesmen and merchants who made/sold them.
Rebuilding the White House
In the early years of the White House (pre War of 1812), the First Occupants were expected to bring their own personal furniture, although the draperies, carpeting and lighting were usually underwritten by the government. The Adamses, only there for a few months, brought little that wasn’t necessary.
Jefferson, who loved all things domestic, was surprisingly sparing fixing up his White House “house.” He saved his best attention for Monticello. The Madisons had been gradually accumulating some fine pieces, along with the drapes and carpets and chandeliers – until the summer of 1814.
But once the WH had been set ablaze by British soldiers, it was unfit for habitation for three years. The basic structure-shell was sound, but between flame, smoke and water damage, the entire innards needed rebuilding.
It wasn’t until the fall of 1817 that Monroe (elected in 1816) could move in. He brought some of his own furniture; a few pieces remain at Ash Lawn or in the WH today. But the “saloons” as they called the three main downstairs audience rooms needed to be properly adorned.
His Taste…
President Monroe’s A-list of vendors came in handy, not only for furniture, but for the candelabra, crystal, ornaments, silver and porcelain items to grace the surroundings. And he chose the style of France – during the Napoleonic Empire. After Waterloo, a host of both aristocratic and Napoleonic items had become available and affordable.
There was his high-backed secretary with many secret compartments, chairs, tables and a magnificent clock, likely from the waning days of Louis XVI.
In particular, he arranged to purchase an 83-piece suite of furnishing made specifically for the Oval (now the Blue) Room, some of which is still there. He also ordered the large gilt and mirrored “Monroe Plateau” that permanently graces the State Dining Room.
According to the White House Historical Association, James Monroe oversaw the interior decoration himself. There is little evidence of any input pointing to Elizabeth Monroe’s tastes or suggestions.
Documentation is sketchy about Mrs. Monroe, but there is general conjecture that her health was problematic (some have suggested epileptic seizures), to account for her inactivity in public life and society.
Following strict European head-of-state custom, Mrs. Monroe declined to return calls. This did not set well with the style of Dolley Madison “democracy,” so WH callers dwindled precipitously. And while the Monroe’s daughter Eliza Hay assumed much distaff responsibilities, she was heartily disliked for her imperious manners.
240 Years Later
For decades, most Presidents and First Ladies continued to bring what they had, accept what remained in the WH, and try to live within the decoration allowances periodically proscribed by Congress.
But in the early 1960s, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy undertook to restore the White House public areas – and Monroe’s decor was the benchmark. His tasteful influence and some reproduced furnishings are still there.
Sources:
Seale, William H. – The President’s House – The White House Historical Association, 1986
Unger, Harlow Giles – The Last Founding Father – DeCapo Press, 2009
https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/the-white-house-restoration
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