Virginia’s Presidents: Meet the 8 Leaders Born in the Mother of Presidents

Virginia, often called the “Mother of Presidents,” has produced more U.S. presidents than any other state. Eight remarkable leaders, from the nation’s founding to the 20th century, were born in the Old Dominion, shaping America’s history with their vision, courage, and decisions. At Presidents For Kids, we’re excited to share a kid-friendly guide to these Virginia-born presidents, complete with fun facts and activities to bring their stories to life. Perfect for homeschoolers, parents, and young history buffs, this post explores the lives of these presidents and why Virginia played such a big role in American leadership.

Virginia was the first, largest, and most prosperous of the British colonies, giving it a head start in producing influential leaders. Known as the “Virginia Dynasty,” four of the first five U.S. presidents hailed from this state, shaping the new nation’s foundation. From revolutionary heroes to wartime leaders, Virginia’s presidents left a lasting mark. Let’s meet the eight presidents born in Virginia and discover their stories.

1. George Washington (1732-1799, Served 1789-1797)

• Born: Westmoreland County, VA
• Why He’s Famous: The first U.S. president, known as the “Father of His Country,” led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War and helped create the Constitution.
• Fun Fact: Washington didn’t have wooden teeth, but he did lose most of his teeth and used dentures made of ivory and metal!
• Activity: Visit the virtual tour of Mount Vernon at mountvernon.org and draw what you think Washington’s home looked like.

2. Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826, Served 1801–1809)

• Born: Albemarle County, VA
• Why He’s Famous: The third president wrote the Declaration of Independence and founded the University of Virginia. He doubled the U.S. size with the Louisiana Purchase.
• Fun Fact: Jefferson loved inventing gadgets, like a rotating bookstand to read multiple books at once!
• Activity: Write your own “Declaration” of rules for your home or classroom. Visit monticello.org for inspiration.

3. James Madison (1751–1836, Served 1809–1817)

• Born: King George County, VA
• Why He’s Famous: The fourth president, called the “Father of the Constitution,” helped write the U.S. Constitution and led the country through the War of 1812.
• Fun Fact: At 5’4”, Madison was the shortest U.S. president ever!
• Activity: Create a mini “Constitution” for your family, listing rules everyone agrees on. Check out montpelier.org for Madison’s story.

4. James Monroe (1758–1831, Served 1817–1825)

• Born: Westmoreland County, VA
• Why He’s Famous: The fifth president created the Monroe Doctrine, telling European countries to stay out of the Americas. His term was called the “Era of Good Feelings.”
• Fun Fact: Monroe was the only person to serve as both Secretary of State and Secretary of War at the same time!
• Activity: Draw a map of the U.S. during Monroe’s time and mark the Louisiana Purchase. Visit highland.org for more.

5. William Henry Harrison (1773–1841, Served 1841)

• Born: Charles City County, VA
• Why He’s Famous: The ninth president served only 33 days, the shortest term ever, after catching pneumonia following a long inaugural speech.
• Fun Fact: His grandson, Benjamin Harrison, later became the 23rd president!
• Activity: Write a short speech (much shorter than Harrison’s!) about what you’d do as president. Explore berkeleyplantation.com.

6. John Tyler (1790–1862, Served 1841–1845)

• Born: Charles City County, VA
• Why He’s Famous: The tenth president, Tyler took over after Harrison’s death, becoming the first vice president to become president mid-term.
• Fun Fact: Tyler had 15 children, more than any other president!
• Activity: Design a family tree for Tyler’s big family. Visit sherwoodforest.org to learn about his home.

7. Zachary Taylor (1784–1850, Served 1849–1850)

• Born: Orange County, VA
• Why He’s Famous: The 12th president was a war hero from the Mexican-American War but died in office after just 16 months.
• Fun Fact: Taylor was born while his family was traveling to Kentucky, so he barely lived in Virginia!
• Activity: Make a “war hero” medal for Taylor using paper and markers. Look for his historical marker in Gordonsville, VA.

8. Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924, Served 1913–1921)

• Born: Staunton, VA
• Why He’s Famous: The 28th president led the U.S. through World War I and won a Nobel Peace Prize for creating the League of Nations.
• Fun Fact: Wilson was the first president with a PhD, earned in Political Science from Johns Hopkins University!
• Activity: Write a letter to the United Nations (the League of Nations’ successor) about peace. Visit wwpl.org for his birthplace tour.

Why So Many Presidents from Virginia?

Virginia’s nickname, the “Mother of Presidents,” comes from its early role as a political and economic powerhouse. As the first British colony, it attracted ambitious leaders who shaped the new nation. Four of the first five presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe—formed the “Virginia Dynasty,” leading for 32 of the first 36 years of the U.S. Constitution. Their homes, like Monticello and Mount Vernon, are now historic sites you can visit to learn more.

Fun Activities to Explore Virginia’s Presidents

• Presidential Scavenger Hunt: Create a checklist of the eight Virginia-born presidents and find one fact about each using National Archives.
• Visit a Site: Plan a trip to a nearby site like Mount Vernon or Monticello, or take a virtual tour via whitehousehistory.org. See our presidential sites post for details.
• Presidential Quiz: Make a quiz with questions like “Which Virginia president had the most kids?” (Tyler). Use Cool Kid Facts – US Presidents for ideas.
• Draw a President’s Home: Sketch Monticello or the White House and label key rooms. Share your drawing with us in the comments!
• Role-Play a President: Pick a Virginia president and act out one of their big decisions, like Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase.

Tips for Parents and Homeschoolers

• Age-Appropriate Learning: For ages 4–8, focus on stories like Washington’s leadership or Tyler’s big family. For ages 9+, discuss the Constitution or Wilson’s Nobel Prize.
• Use Free Resources: Sites like the National Archives and White House Historical Association offer free content for kids.
• Visit or Go Virtual: If you’re near Virginia, visit a presidential home. If not, virtual tours are a great alternative.
• Discuss Legacy: Talk about how these presidents shaped America, including tough topics like their role in slavery, to encourage critical thinking.
• Make It Fun: Use crafts, quizzes, and role-playing to keep kids engaged and excited about history.

Celebrate Virginia’s Presidential Legacy!

Virginia’s eight presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson—helped build and lead America. From the Revolution to World War I, their stories are a big part of U.S. history. Try one of our activity books to bring their legacies to life! Visit Presidents For Kids for more resources.