James Madison's Montpelier
The lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, architect of the Bill of Rights, and U.S. President. James shared his beloved home with his wife, Dolley Madison, whose social and political flair inspired the title "First Lady."
Information
Location:
Orange, VA, 22960
Phone:
540-672-2728
Mon - Sun:
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
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James Madison's Montpelier

James Madison's Montpelier The Chase Community Giving program is giving away $5 million in awards to non-profits. Please vote for Montpelier at: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/773497 . The first round of voting ends December 11. Each Facebook user can vote 20 times per round. Come on Montpelier fans, let's mobilize!

Arlene Heisen

Arlene Heisen Cool, thanks for sharing

November 16 at 12:34pm · Report
James Madison's Montpelier

James Madison's Montpelier Dig up the latest excavation on the Montpelier Blog: http://montpelier.org/blog/

Source: montpelier.org
Since September, the Archaeology Team has been excavating in mansion’s Northwest Yard. This excavation began in hopes of finding artifacts from an 18th-century trash deposit and locating the planting holes from the pine trees that were planted in the 1810s, as part of Mr. ...
Sarah Everett
Sarah Everett
HOORAY!!!!!! :)
November 16 at 11:13am
James Madison's Montpelier

James Madison's Montpelier Tour the Gilmore Farm, home of George Gilmore, born a slave at Montpelier, followed by a walking tour of the 1863-64 Confederate winter encampment site.

Time:2:00PM Sunday, November 15th
Location:James Madison's Montpelier
James Madison's Montpelier

James Madison's Montpelier Is that an ink stain on the floor? Read the latest Montpelier Blog entry to to find out! http://montpelier.org/blog/

Source: montpelier.org
One of the many interesting discoveries during the mansion restoration was a dark stain on the floor of the Old Library (M207). The stain can be seen in the northeastern corner of the room, near the fireplace. ...
John Hakes
John Hakes
Historic forensics like this are worthy of their own TV investigation series, if it would mean an increased interest in historical things . . .
November 12 at 7:59am
Connie Shull Hester
Connie Shull Hester
yes, I agree John. The American History is so full of wonderful things that are not taught to us in school. The only way to really dig into our Founding Father's past is to visit where they live and worked. Montpelier is such a wonderful and beautiful place. I find things like this facinating!
November 12 at 8:10am
James Madison's Montpelier
James Madison's Montpelier
Thanks for your interest! Please stay tuned to the blog. We're going to have a lot more forensic information to share as Montpelier's "Presidential Detective Story: Rediscovering the Furnishings of James and Dolley Madison" unfolds!
November 12 at 8:15am
James Madison's Montpelier

James Madison's Montpelier thanks all Veterans for their service to our country.

November 11 at 8:06am
James Madison's Montpelier

James Madison's Montpelier Check out John Strader's great photos of Saturday's Montpelier Hunt Races!

Source: www.printroom.com
James Madison's Montpelier
Source: www.washingtonexaminer.com
Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon and Montpelier are among a group of Virginia destinations offering free admission to former and active-duty service members to honor them on Veterans Day.
Barb Schlichting
Barb Schlichting
What a great idea! Fantastic!
November 6 at 2:21pm
James Madison's Montpelier

James Madison's Montpelier Hunt Races, Tailgating, fall walking tours, and special Christmas tours are all a part of the latest Montpelier Blog post. Be the first to read it at: http://montpelier.org/blog/

Source: montpelier.org
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.
Kim Crandall
Kim Crandall
too bad I won't be in town for this!
November 4 at 4:14pm
Gary Holmes

Gary Holmes P.S. My Mom wants to know why First Lady Dolly was often painted wearing such low cut dresses? Just curious.

November 3 at 6:02am · Report
Peggy Vaughn
Peggy Vaughn
Tell your Mom that Dolley is painted wearing low cut dresses because that is what she often wore. She preferred this French empire style, and, like many women, chose to emphasize her positives and downplay her negatives. She also liked to wear turbans with large feathers in them during formal events, and decorated with bright colors—red and yellow. She was well-known as a vibrant, gracious, and social hostess.
November 4 at 6:09am
Gary Holmes
Gary Holmes
Very interesting.
November 4 at 7:31am
Gary Holmes

Gary Holmes Are there pictures on here that show how the renovations are coming? I hear they are tearing down part of the mansion? That seems wasteful. It was recently featured in the TV Show Drive Thur History & it was very interesting. Is it from from I-81?

November 3 at 5:51am · Report
Peggy Vaughn
Peggy Vaughn
In 2008 Montpelier celebrated the completion of a $25 million restoration—returning the mansion to the home that James and Dolley Madison knew and loved. Montpelier is now embarking on the "Presidential Detective Story" to discover the interior furnishings and decor. You can still find the restoration photos on our blog at montpelier.org/blog.
November 4 at 6:12am
Gary Holmes
Gary Holmes
Thanks. I will be sure to look.
November 4 at 7:31am
James Madison's Montpelier

James Madison's Montpelier Montpelier is blazing new trails! Read all about it in the latest blog post: http://montpelier.org/blog/?p=2361

Source: montpelier.org
Progress on Montpelier’s new Demonstration Trail is moving quickly. The trail was cleared over the summer. The staff is anxious to add the final touches to prepare the trail for a spring opening.
James Madison's Montpelier
James Madison's Montpelier
I don't think we have any trail running events planned as yet, but we host an exceptional Big Woods Walk four times a year. Check out http://www.montpelier.org/visit/tours/thematic_quarterly.php to learn more about the walk!
October 30 at 9:25am
James Madison's Montpelier
James Madison's Montpelier
We can't attach any specific events to the trail, however, the land that makes up the trail has been part of the estate since James Madison's grandfather Ambrose was deeded the area that would eventually become Mount Pleasant and later, Montpelier.
November 2 at 11:40pm
Brian Francis Hume

Brian Francis Hume I'm trying to find out why was the plantation given the name Montpelier...thanks!

October 28 at 10:28am · Report
James Madison's Montpelier
James Madison's Montpelier
We aren't entirely sure why the name was chosen, but it's a good bet that it was intended to indicate a pleasant, healthful place with "a salubrious air"--possibly a reference to the town of Montpellier in the south of France. (And the Madisons did spell the name of their plantation with two "L"s.)

Lots more info here:
http://www.montpelier.org/explore/estate/montpelier_etymology.php
October 28 at 5:45pm
James Madison's Montpelier

James Madison's Montpelier The final report from Dwight Young's Archaeology Excursion at Montpelier. Find them all on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Facebook page--they're all excellent!

Editor’s Note: Last week, Senior Communications Associate Dwight Young was on an archaeological dig at Montpelier, a National Trust Historic Site. He sent daily dispatches about the experience, and today shares his final thoughts on his week in the field. Written by Dwight Young Home again. ...
Patricia Reidy Lawrence
Patricia Reidy Lawrence
These digs sound so intriguing. I'd love to have a chance to do it.
October 28 at 10:49am
James Madison's Montpelier
James Madison's Montpelier
And we'd love to have you! Check out the 2010 Archaeology Expedition and Excursion dates here:

http://www.montpelier.org/explore/archaeology/excavation_programs.php
October 28 at 5:47pm
Sharon Cohen Elswick
Sharon Cohen Elswick
My husband did a summer expedition at Montpelier and LOVED it. Ask us any questions about his first-hand experience...
October 29 at 4:52am
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