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Virginia

Three Friends: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe

Program No. 9113RJ
Dive into history as you explore the legacies of three early American presidents, discovering historic architecture, period music, stunning artwork and a living-history presentation.
Participant Reviews
4.96
Based on 31 Reviews
SHOWING
Mike – Class of 2025 | Bloomingdale, IL
I loved the 3 Presidents Tour, it was informative, fascinating, and FUN. Highest recommendation for Roads Scholar!
— Review left June 26, 2025
Kate – Class of 2023 | Atlanta, GA
As an African-American I was curious about how the various presidential sites treat slavery. I found that the tour guides and lecturers incorporated that subject into their talks in an honest, candid manner. Additionally, the other program participants proved to be as interested in this subject as I was. I'm so glad that I decided to take this trip. I learned a lot.
— Review left June 17, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Leslie – Class of 2024 | Waynesville, NC
This is a highly educational and entertaining trip, packed with good information as well as interesting destinations. Our guide was helpful, knowledgeable, and flexible as our group of five women navigated the program. I would recommend this choice to anyone curious about early American history and three presidents who helped shape the character of our nation.
— Review left June 3, 2025
Kathryn – Class of 2017 | Virginia Beach, VA
I am a Virginia native and have visited all four sites several times over the (many) years, attended the University in the early 70's. This trip was STILL a learning experience I am glad I took advantage of. The accommodations and food were great. The sit down restaurants were a bit too noisy for comfortable conversation for me, but I have a fair amount of hearing loss. The hotel was comfortable and well located. Transportation to and from the historic sites was smooth and comfortable. And at each site we had wonderful tour guides. And time to explore, always a treat. And President Monroe was amazing. First person interpretation is so difficult, and this gentleman's presentation was a highlight of the trip. Five stars all around. Especially to our Roads Scholar guide. Very organized, personable, kept things on time and moving without being obvious about it.
— Review left January 8, 2025
Bert | Spartanburg, SC
Great educational and travel opportunity. Extremely well organized!
— Review left October 15, 2024
Aristotelis – Class of 2022 | Fairfax, VA
This program offers a deeper understanding of the three presidents, their lives, their interactions among themselves and their impact upon the creation of the USA. Well worth the time and cost. I highly recommend it.
— Review left September 26, 2024
This participant did not give a star rating.
Jeff – Class of 2012 | Knoxville, TN
The program was rich, informative and well-organized. It gave me an opportunity to see for the first time the closely intertwined relationships of three presidents who helped shape our nation in its early years. Never having visited these presidential sites, I gained from this direct experience. Eileen Wells assembled an interesting program and gave it a friendly welcoming face. I personally profited from having read (via audiobook) important biographies of these three men before embarking on the trip: • Jon Meacham, Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power • Noah Feldman, The Three Lives of James Madison • Tim McGrath, James Monroe These recommended readings provided much-needed background and context for the lives, interactions and achievements of these Founders, well beyond what I knew about this era of American history. I believe the program could benefit from greater interaction between the presenters and participants in the form of discussion and questions and answers integrated into the body of the presentations and not limited to the end of the session. The schedule could be expanded in this regard. The live performances of period music and of James Monroe were superb and pleasingly interactive. Additional opportunities for discussion of sensitive and contentious issues, above all slavery, would be welcomed, at least by the group I was in. I recognize that this would require deftness to avoid rancor, but also sensed that the program has in recent years increasingly welcomed discussion of such topics. Keep this initiative going. In short, this is an excellent and thought provoking program, well worthy of consideration.
— Review left September 3, 2024
Leslie – Class of 2023 | Chapel Hill, NC
A busy program, very informative. Visits to the Presidents' homes and discussion of their interaction with one another were really helpful in putting the program in context. U VA tour was a real plus.
— Review left August 29, 2024
Linda – Class of 2022 | Kilmarnock, VA
While Road Scholar offers an abundance of top-notch programs, this one is exceptional. It takes the U.S. History that you may have learned in high school and adds the depth, personalities and connections that shaped our country in its formative years following the American Revolution. Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, three distinct, great men who had the vision of the Enlightenment and were instrumental in shaping the reality. Through talks and visits to their houses, the group learns the about political and social issues of that time and how the friendship and respect of the men intertwined in the political sphere. The information also includes the history of the women and the enslaved men and women who labors helped produce the wealth these men needed to be able to serve as Presidents 3,4 & 5. The visits to Montpelier (Madison) Hilltop (Monroe) and Monticello (Jefferson) further explore the extraordinary lives and times of the early 1800's. Not to be missed, on the final day, President Monroe visits the group and holds a private audience in which he discusses his life and answers questions. If the program were just visits to the presidential homes and the University of Virginia, the program would be worth the trip. Adding the historical context through the lectures/talks adds the perspective of the issues of that day and how they still affect our present day. The leader is excellent in keeping the group informed and making the experience enjoyable. This is yet another Road Scholar program designed for curious, energetic adults who seek to wed education with on the road experiences. It's a short; it is exceptional; it is well worth exploring.
— Review left August 29, 2024
Eric – Class of 2017 | Franklin, TN
This was a fantastic program! Great educational content in a very interesting & beautiful place! Monticello, Montpelier, and Highlands are testaments to our Founding Fathers and their resilience & ingenuity. I thoroughly enjoyed the program and the various instructors! Do this program & learn more that you thought you could.
— Review left June 23, 2024
Margaret – Class of 2018 | Madison, WI
Go on this program, it is informative and educational and interesting. Loved it!
— Review left June 22, 2024
Theodore – Class of 2023 | Leland, NC
A perfect American history program to learn and enjoy!
— Review left May 20, 2024
Susan Love – Class of 2015 | Boca Raton, FL
Besides visiting the presidents' homes, the lectures provided both before and after our visits were outstanding, adding much more dimension to the experience.
— Review left September 21, 2023
Joanne – Class of 2019 | Sarasota, FL
"Three Friends" in Charlottesville is a program over a long weekend about three important Founding Father Presidents who have homes nearby to visit. Speakers and performers were very qualified, interesting and thought-provoking. Stay for the President Monroe re-enactor on the last day as he is worth waiting for. Hyatt Place is a nice hotel, but is outside of town and requires either a car or city bus rides (which I did--download the "SPOT" app.) Am very glad I spent my last night at The Graduate hotel near the Jefferson Rotunda as it is near the campus of UVA and historic sites and has lots of restaurants nearby. The UVA buses and the city trolleys are easier than the city buses. The Downtown Transit Station is not where you want to spend much time. The downtown pedestrian mall nearby is worth a walk and has restaurants there, also.
— Review left September 14, 2023
Virginia – Class of 2006 | Lititz, PA
Fascinating but very intense!
— Review left June 1, 2023
Anne – Class of 2023 | Robersonville, NC
This program was packed with wonderful information! Great Value!
— Review left May 31, 2023
Judith – Class of 2009 | Versailles, KY
***** The "Three Friends: program packed a tremendous amount of material into a compact, well-organized program in beautiful Charlottesville, Virginia. The presenters and the sites added depth to the ongoing evaluation of the American experience. And the gorgeous April weather didn't hurt!
— Review left April 26, 2023
Kathleen – Class of 2023 | Blacksburg, VA
I thoroughly enjoyed my first Road Scholar adventure. I learned so much, met interesting people and was able to relax as all the details were handled. I will definitely travel with Road Scholar again!
— Review left April 20, 2023
This participant did not give a star rating.
Sandy – Class of 2015 | Manassas, VA
Another wonderful Road Scholar program. Kudos to Eileen West for keeping us organized and on time. She was a very gracious and knowledgeable guide. All the guest speakers were highly educated in their subjects and allowed time for questions and answers. The field trips provided further insight into the lives of these “Three Friends.” I am now left with a thirst to to learn more about our Founding Fathers.
— Review left April 20, 2023
Falinda – Class of 2018 | Grand Rapids, MI
If you love to study American history and want to go to a beautiful state, then you’ll love this program. It is a perfect mix of lecture, tours, and surprises that will keep you entertained and learning for four full days.
— Review left October 24, 2022
This participant did not give a star rating.
Alicia – Class of 2021 | East Greenville, PA
Three friends was a great trip. The program was interesting and informative but would have been better as a longer trip. I would have loved to spend more time at all the presidential houses. There is so much to see. The evening programs added so much to the overall experience. Loved them all! Eileen was an excellent group leader - knowledgeable and professional! She was a great source of information! It was a big group but Eileen kept us moving through the itinerary very efficiently while not seeming rushed. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in presidential or colonial history
— Review left October 10, 2022
Natalie – Class of 2022 | Oneonta, NY
Very good program, you learn without being overly strenuous, enjoyable historic sites and nice people.
— Review left June 25, 2022
Lynne – Class of 2021 | Medford, MA
This program is rich in eye-opening content. You will come away with a new understanding of the role of enslaved workers in the lives of three early presidents and their families as well as of the roles and limitations of women in their lives. In less than three days, you have the opportunity to visit four historic sites with knowledgable guides, augmented with informative lectures. Anyone who is curious about the role of the slave economy in the lives of the founders of the United States will benefit from this tour.
— Review left June 23, 2022
This participant did not give a star rating.
Janet – Class of 2018 | Rochester, NY
Fascinating trip. Great leader. Hyatt beautiful hotel.
— Review left June 21, 2022
Robin – Class of 2017 | Phoenix, AZ
I got a glimpse of all the history Virginia has to offer...and, of course, I want to go back and see more. It was the first time I was so close to the history of slavery and I found myself balancing my love and respect for Jefferson, Madison and Monroe with the hate slavery brings into my thoughts. Seeing Monticello was inspiring and I think I could sit on the grounds all day long. I also saw a small archaeological dig going on there and got to stop and talk to the young people working the site... The group was great, the speakers awesome, and Eileen was everything I could want in a group leader: Nice, but firm; approachable and knowledgeable. I just wish the trip was longer....
— Review left May 17, 2022
Juliette – Class of 2019 | Richmond, CA
Great introduction to Road Scholar tours. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic tour leaders. Well organized tour Learned so many new things!
— Review left April 21, 2022
Sidney – Class of 2015 | South Miami, FL
You cannot ask for a best overview of the subject or better people to show you around. This was an excellent program and exceptionally well run. There are a lot of ways to explore your country this is one of the best.
— Review left November 8, 2021
Virginia – Class of 2013 | Tulsa, OK
If you love understanding how 3 dynamic men were instrumental in shaping the early history of our country, you will really enjoy this program! You'll get both the inside look into their lives as well as the sacrifices each man made.
— Review left November 3, 2021
Vicki – Class of 2021 | Negaunee, MI
We participated in our first Road Scholar experience in November of 2021. We very much enjoyed this adventure, and look forward to doing it again, soon. It is an excellent way to visit and learn about a place, at a very attractive cost. Mike and Vicki
— Review left November 3, 2021
Mary Ann – Class of 2018 | Lyndhurst, OH
This program, although short, was jam packed with interesting lectures and presentations as well as wonderful visits to the ‘Three Friends Homes’. Our guide/coordinator Marina was friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. Great trip!
— Review left June 5, 2019
Hazel – Class of 2006 | Hendersonvlle, NC
We have attended this program twice and highly recommend it to any likewise interested people. Only a few programs have we repeated but this is a must for us
— Review left May 14, 2019