James Madison's Montpelier
The Scenic Landscape
Montpelier is in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Credit: Kenneth M. Wyner/The Montpelier Foundation Learn More
Mr. Madison's Temple
Built as a place of reflection, The Temple also stored the Montpelier ice house below its floor. Credit: Kenneth M. Wyner/The Montpelier Foundation Learn More
Montpelier, a National Trust Historic Site
Montpelier was the lifelong home of James Madison, fourth President of the United States. Credit: Kenneth M. Wyner/The Montpelier Foundation Learn More
"Notwithstanding a thousand faults and blunders,
[Madison's] administration has acquired more glory, and established more union,
than all his three Predecessors, Washington, Adams, and Jefferson, put together."
John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1817
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Montpelier was the lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, fourth President of the United States, and genius of the American Republic. Madison's early life in Virginia nurtured his commitment to religious freedom and his patriotic vision for a democratic nation. Montpelier also became home to Dolley Madison, whose graciousness and hospitality inspired the term "First Lady".
James Madison's Montpelier is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and operated by the Montpelier Foundation, Inc.
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Montpelier's Blog
“I shall honor my chisel with cutting his bust.” – Giuseppe Ceracchi
In 1791, James Madison became friends with an unlikely companion, Italian sculptor Guiseppe Ceracchi (1751-1801) who moved to the new American capitol to carve a commemorative monument of the American Revolution. Madison, then a congressman from Virginia’s fifth district, lodged with Ceracchi at Mary House’s boardinghouse on the corner of Fifth and Market Streets. Madison [...]
“The Daily Show” Highlights Paul Jennings
When Paul Jennings created his memoirs, he probably never imagined he would have an audience of millions. This is exactly what happened on last night’s episode of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” though. Former Montpelier Director of Education Elizabeth Dowling Taylor joined Stewart to discuss her new book “A Slave in the White House: [...]
Piecing together History
The archaeology department recently finished its field season in the South Yard and just began an analysis of all the artifacts recovered during the nine-month excavation season. The analysis of the household items recovered from the South Yard will be very important for our overall archaeological study of Montpelier’s enslaved community. Comparing the items different [...]
