Own a home like the Founding Fathers

(MoneyWatch) COMMENTARY Owning a home has always been part of the American Dream, and it certainly was for our Founding Fathers.

They built massive, sprawling mansions and continued to work on them throughout their lives. George Washington even worked on his signature estate, Mount Vernon, while he was commanding American troops during the Revolutionary War.

You don't need to be a president or have your signature on the Declaration of Independence to get a similar home right down the street. You may need to be a millionaire though.

Own a home like the Founding Fathers

Mount Vernon is George Washington's historic estate, located on the banks of the Potomac River south of Alexandria, Va. The massive plantation was originally farmed by Washington's servants and slaves and was twice rebuilt before he died. In 1858, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association bought the property, restored it and has owned it since.

Own a home like the Founding Fathers

While you can't buy Mount Vernon, you can buy a house right down the street for $3.9 million. It includes eight bedrooms, 11 baths and a pool - something Washington's estate can't boast. While it sits on just one acre (compared to Mount Vernon's 400 acres), it boasts more living space at 11,200 square feet and shares a similar backyard view of the Potomac.

Own a home like the Founding Fathers

Montpelier

James Madison, our fourth president, was born, lived and died at his Montpelier estate in Orange, Va. He constantly expanded the mansion until it was eventually valued at $15,000 in 1813. After Madison's death, the home was sold to the duPont family, who expanded it even further. In 2003, a $25 million restoration project restored it to its 1820 appearance, when Madison lived there.

Own a home like the Founding Fathers

Montpelier is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, so you can't buy it. But you can purchase this nearby mansion, which bears a striking resemblance to Madison's estate. This five-bed, five-bath home sits atop a hill on nine acres of land just five miles from Madison's former residence. You can have it for less than $750,000.

Own a home like the Founding Fathers

Monticello

Thomas Jefferson's beloved home, Monticello, sits atop a mountain on a 5,000-acre plantation outside Charlottesville, Va. Jefferson designed the mansion himself, which has 33 rooms, 13 skylights and eight fireplaces. Jefferson died more than $107,000 in debt, so his heirs had to sell nearly the all the contents of Monticello before selling the plantation itself for $7,500 in 1831.

Own a home like the Founding Fathers

Monticello is one of the most recognizable homes of the founding fathers, and is now a destination for history buffs and architecture lovers across the country. But you could own a smaller version in Charlottesville for a cool $3.25 million. The home sits on more than 100 acres, has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and invokes Jefferson's style both architecturally and in the interior design.

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Own a home like the Founding Fathers

Hamilton Grange

Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, was born in the West Indies before moving to New York City to attend college. Hamilton Grange was his summer home, situated in what is now Harlem. The home was completed in 1802, two years before he was famously shot and killed in a duel. It has since been relocated twice to where it now rests as a historic landmark and memorial in St. Nicholas Park.

Own a home like the Founding Fathers

While it's hard to find a comparable home in Harlem, you can find some symmetrical stately homes in nearby Brooklyn. This five-bed, eight-bath Colonial has a six-car garage, gated front and plenty of wood accents. Boasting more than 11,000 square feet, it's actually slightly larger than Hamilton's 8,000-square-foot home and goes for $2.8 million.

Own a home like the Founding Fathers

Peacefield

Peacefield, also called "Old House," was the home of our second president John Adams and his son and our sixth president, John Quincy Adams. It is located just south of Boston in Quincy, Mass. The property includes the Stone Library, housing more than 14,000 books. The Adams family gave the home to the United States in 1946 and is now part of the Adams National Historic Park.

Own a home like the Founding Fathers

While it's not as large as Adam's estate, this four-bedroom, three-bathroom home is mere 15-minute walk from his home. With similar windows and styling, this nearly $900,000-dollar home is a mixture of modern and classic design. Adams may have had a massive library, but he certainly didn't have a jacuzzi tub in his master bath.

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