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Beginning this weekend, James Madison’s Montpelier visitors will see a couple of familiar faces when they visit the home of the Father of the Constitution. During Madison’s presidency, James and Dolley always left the muggy Washington heat in favor of Montpelier, their beloved country estate. James and Dolley Madison will once again greet visitors at their storied home July 24 through mid-September. Dolley will receive guests on Saturdays and James will be at home on Sundays.
Photo by Jen Fariello
Guests may call on Mr. and Mrs. Madison in the mansion’s south wing. “Dolley Madison’s Salon” will be held on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Mrs. Madison, in full costume, will chat with guests about her husband’s role in crafting the Constitution. She became an expert on this subject during his retirement, when she helped James organize his papers from the Constitutional Convention. Continue Reading…
Posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago. 11 comments
December at Montpelier has been hopping. We had the Christmas Candlelight Tours during the first weekend of the month. Last weekend, the Center for the Constitution held its Introduction to the Constitution seminar. 2009 may be coming to a close, but the staff is abuzz making plans for 2010. 
In the midst of all the excitement, we received some great news: Albemarle Family Living magazine’s readers voted to give honors to Montpelier in two categories of the Albemarle Family Favorite Awards! The readers voted Montpelier second in both the “local historic site” and “regional historic site” categories!
Thank you to all of our friends who voted for us. The Piedmont is a beautiful area filled with exciting things to do. We’re honored that you have chosen Montpelier as one of your favorites. We look forward to continuing to welcome you to the Home of the Father of the Constitution and the woman who inspired the title “First Lady.”
Posted 8 months, 3 weeks ago. 3 comments
The last few weeks at Montpelier have been busy. The staff is gearing up for three very exciting events—The Running of the Montpelier Hunt Races, Freedman’s Farm, and Confederate Winter Camp Site Walking Tour, and the all-new Christmas Candlelight Tour at Montpelier. 
The Running of the Montpelier Hunt Races will celebrate its 75th anniversary this Saturday, November 7. Marion duPont Scott founded the Hunt Races at Montpelier in 1934. Today, the Montpelier Hunt Races remain a beloved tradition in Orange County, Va. Continue Reading…
Posted 10 months, 1 week ago. Add a comment
Fall ushers in a lot of exciting changes at Montpelier. The humidity diminishes, offering a stunning view of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the front portico. The change in foliage frames the mansion in a myriad of colors seen only once a year. School is back in session, which means we welcome lots of student groups. As the first weekend of November approaches, excitement builds in anticipation of the Running of the Montpelier Hunt Races. This year’s Races will take place on November 7.
Marion duPont Scott founded the Hunt Races at Montpelier in 1934. Seventy-five years later, the Montpelier Hunt Races remain a beloved tradition in Orange County.
Mrs. Scott was an accomplished horsewoman. She and her brother, William duPont, Jr., created many of the nation’s best-known steeplechase and flat racing venues, including: Delaware Park, the Fair Hill Natural Resources Area, and Camden Race Course.
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Posted 10 months, 4 weeks ago. Add a comment
Two hundred-fifty Ford Model As descended on Montpelier for the Model A Restorers Club National Tour. Visitors had the chance to wander the rows of cars parked on the front lawn and learn from the owners—many of whom were dressed in 1920s and ‘30s attire.
Ford began Model A production after it discontinued the Model T in 1927. It named this Model A after the first automobile the company introduced in 1903. The new car featured a luxurious interior and more powerful engine. Additions to the Model A included a glass windshield, automatic windshield wipers and bumpers. Model A production ended in 1931. Auto enthusiasts sometimes refer to the Model A as “the baby Lincoln,” suggesting the Model A was the forefather of Ford’s most luxurious brand. Continue Reading…
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago. 2 comments
Constitution Day 2009 was all about the kids. Last week, two hundred fourth-and-fifth graders from the Orange County School System traveled to Montpelier to celebrate the birthday of the Constitution, September 17, 1787.
Bentley Boyd illustrates for a group of students in the Grand Salon
The students spent the day learning about the Constitution through special hands-on activities with Montpelier’s education staff. The morning also included a special session with Bentley Boyd, creator of Chester Comix, a comic book series focused on history. After lunch, the kids headed to the mansion, where they enjoyed Montpelier’s Constitution Day celebration from the best seats in the house- the mansion front steps.
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Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago. 1 comment
Fall is the perfect time to escape to the rolling hills where the Father of the Constitution once walked. The leaves are already starting to turn and the temperature has been comfortable in the high seventies and low eighties all week. The new Montpelier Excursions Packages will give you the perfect blend of breathtaking fall views, interesting activities, and Southern hospitality.
There is something for everyone. Do you enjoy wine? Then, the Montpelier Wine Weekend is perfect for you. Go to tastings at six of the Piedmont’s best wineries: Barboursville Vineyards, Horton Vineyards, Keswick Vineyards, Burnley Vineyards & Daniel Cellars, Sweely Estate Winery, and Pearmund Cellars.
If adventure is your passion, check out Dig in Style. Work side-by-side Montpelier’s staff archaeologists to discover lost historic treasure.
History Enthusiasts shouldn’t miss History Weekdays and History Weekends. It’s the perfect chance to enjoy the outdoors on the nearly -2700 acre estate, including the pristine Landmark Forest and Gilmore Cabin, the only known restored freedman’s farm.
If you like being “in the know,” you will definitely enjoy the Heart of Montpelier excursion. Montpelier recently completed a $25 million architectural restoration. Take an exclusive tour of the restored mansion with the director of restoration to learn about the extensive detective work the staff undertook to ensure the authentic appearance. You will also meet the curator to learn the latest about Montpelier’s next phase in the restoration process: locating, authenticating and acquiring the mansion’s furnishings.
Excursion Packages include all meals, activities, exclusive Montpelier Museum Gift Shop savings and accommodations at one of the area’s most luxurious B&B’s, including: Inn at Westwood Farm, Holladay House, Chestnut Hill Bed & Breakfast, Inn on Poplar Hill, Mayhurst Inn, Ridge View Bed & Breakfast, Inn at Meander Plantation, Ebenezer House, and the Old Mill House.
Posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
After weeks of hard work and careful planning, Montpelier’s new blog is finally here! You will find the same great updates from the Curatorial, Archaeology, and Forestry departments, plus some new subjects, such as slaves and freedmen, the Center for the Constitution and overall happenings at Montpelier. The staff is very eager to give you an insider’s view of the home of the Father of the Constitution. Please visit us every Wednesday to be among the first to read the latest post.
Posted 12 months ago. 1 comment
Paul Jennings is on his way to becoming a household name thanks to Sunday’s New York Times article. Paul Jennings was born a slave at Montpelier and helped Dolley Madison rescue George Washington’s portrait before the British burned the White House during the War of 1812. In fact Monday, August 24 will mark the 195th anniversary of the portrait’s rescue. Jennings went on to achieve his freedom, become a prominent abolitionist and Washington D.C. resident, and work in the U.S. Pension Office.
Dr. Beth Taylor, Montpelier’s research associate has been conducting original Jennings research. Paul Jennings’ life shows a quintessentially American story, with remarkable twists and turns that reveal an extraordinary sweep of our history in one single lifetime. Through Jennings and his descendants we see the road from slavery to citizenship; the role African-Americans played in the early White House; how freed slaves came to settle and work in an integrated Washington, D.C., newly established as the nation’s capital; the complicated relationship between the Father of the Constitution and his enslaved manservant; the story of the first White House memoirist; how a Montpelier slave became an abolitionist and tried to free slaves aboard The Pearl; and how African-Americans are re-discovering their own American history. Check out The New York Times.
Rediscovering the Furnishings of James and Dolley Madison
Today, on Dolley Madison’s 241st birthday, The Montpelier Foundation announced the launch of the second phase of the restoration of James Madison’s home—A PRESIDENTIAL DETECTIVE STORY: Rediscovering the Furnishings of James and Dolley Madison.
Montpelier marked the completion of a five-year, $25 million architectural restoration of Madison’s home on Constitution Day, September 17, 2008, at the National Restoration Celebration. Because Dolley Madison sold Montpelier eight years after James’ death, much of the furniture and household objects were sold at auction, given away, or passed on to extended family members. Now, the Foundation is embarking on the next chapter in this detective story—discovering and returning the interior decor and furnishings of the home during James Madison’s retirement years.
To accomplish this ambitious goal, Montpelier’s curatorial department is conducting a major research project to locate, understand, and provide context for Madison furniture and decorative arts. Montpelier is gathering a top-notch team of researchers and curators to embark on this new Presidential Detective Story. The nation’s preeminent experts on everything from wallpaper and draperies to sofas and sideboards are being consulted to ensure that furnishing the home achieves the high level of authenticity for which Montpelier has become known. Curators will continue to add more objects to the mansion over the coming months and years.
“The Montpelier Foundation is very pleased to begin the work of restoring the interior decor of the home of James and Dolley Madison,” said Montpelier President Michael C. Quinn. “This initiative will embody the same excellence in scholarship, authenticity, and quality that we brought to the architectural restoration, and will return the style of the Madisons at home.”
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Posted 1 year, 3 months ago. 3 comments
