James Madison’s Montpelier

History in your hands

Have you ever wondered what happens to artifacts once they come out of the ground? Now you have the chance to learn first-hand through Montpelier’s Ceramics Workshop, January 24-29. The ceramics workshop is the complement to Montpelier’s popular Expedition program that brings people to Montpelier to excavate during the spring, summer, and fall.

Participants will practice the three steps of artifact analysis-cataloguing, labeling, and assembling-under the guidance of Montpelier’s staff archaeologists. There will be three work stations set up to help participants get valuable hands-on experience in each of the steps throughout the week.

They will also engage in several lectures and get a behind-the –scenes look at the role ceramics play in “A Presidential Detective Story: Rediscovering the Furnishings and Décor of James and Dolley Madison.” Many of the ceramics that are reassembled will be displayed in the mansion.

The schedule for the week will be:

January 24
Evening
Arrive at Arlington House
Dinner

January 25
Morning
Lecture
Afternoon
Begin working with ceramics

January 26
Morning/Afternoon
work with ceramics

January 27
Morning
Lecture
Afternoon
Work with ceramics

January 28
Morning
Work with ceramics
Afternoon
Visit with the curatorial department to learn about the role of ceramics in “A Presidential Detective Story: Rediscovering the Home of James and Dolley Madison”

January 29
Morning/Afternoon
Work with ceramics

January 30
Morning
Departure

Participants will stay in Montpelier’s Arlington House, where they have access to full kitchen and laundry facilities. They will also enjoy two dinners with Montpelier’s Archaeology staff. If this sounds like your kind of vacation, contact Matt Reeves (mreeves<at>montpelier.org), director of archaeology, to register or for more information.

Tags: Archaeology, Events, presidential detective story