Most people know very little about James Monroe (1758-1831) other than the fact that he was one of the first presidents of the United States, if that. A recent discovery proves that the fifth commander in chief lived in much higher style than historians and history geeks previously thought. Indeed, the modest residence once touted as Highland, Monroe's estate near Charlottesville, Virginia, is now being classified as a mere guest house. So where did Monroe live? It turns out that the well-preserved foundation of what is being described as a "free standing and sizeable house" was discovered in the front yard of what was believed to be Highland for so many years. Archaeologists unearthed stone foundations, charred planks, a a chimney, and a wealth of artifacts, suggesting that a fire in the mid-19th century destroyed a considerably large and imposing structure. Tree rings visible on the wood in the house that still stands indicates it was cut down around 181...